So it’s official. WADA have formerly banned Russia from competing as a nation in all major sporting events for a 4 year period.

This will see the Russian flag not being raised at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. However their individual athletes can compete under a neutral flag IF they can prove their ‘innocence’.

It poses some questions and thoughts though:

What happens with individuals in team sports? Is this fair that they potentially won’t be allowed but an individual sport can? Should it be No one at all if some will still be excluded?

If this is due to widespread doping and poor / illegal administration process and systems, who is to say that in some way the approved ‘neutral’ individuals have not directly or indirectly benefited in same way over extended periods of time?

Where is the ethical line in the sand? For the governing bodies (NOC’s, NF’s, WADA, national anti doping agencies), the sport science and medical practitioners (who drive the conversation, possible implementation or the encouragement of use), the coaches (who either suggest, encourage, do notice but say nothing. Who spend more time with these athletes than their families) and the individual athletes who choose to either cross or avoid the line?

What drives the route cause that drives the behaviour? Is it fame? Wealth? Need for recognition? Return to play? Feeling of ‘what will I do if I don’t have this sport?

http://www.bbc.com/sport/olympics/50710598

The drugs in sport debate, can of worms is yet to be fully opened.

But this is a start!

So where is your line?

SB