How?
The International Olympic Committee made two perplexing decisions on Sunday.
First, in the wake of the World Anti-Doping Agency revelations that Russia systematically sponsored state doping, the IOC decided against imposing a blanket ban on Russian athletes competing at the Rio Olympics.
The IOC ruled that individual sporting governing bodies should instead make the call on Russian athlete’s participation at the games, due to begin on August 5.
Unsurprisingly, the decision was not welcomed.
Cheers! pic.twitter.com/dgrxA6sLRO
— Owen Gibson (@owen_g) July 24, 2016
Sad day in sport. Not because Russia wasn't banned but because we get to see clearly who IOC is and how long we have to go for change. $$$
— Steve Magness (@stevemagness) July 24, 2016
"Confusing mess…conflict of interest is glaring". USADA slams IOC over Russia & Stepanova. Sport at loggerheads pic.twitter.com/8u0isUUqTt
— Dan Roan (@danroan) July 24, 2016
Absolutely crazy that IOC allows Russia to compete in Rio but not Yulia Stepanova, the person to thank for blowing the doping regime open.
— Ben Bloom (@benbloomsport) July 24, 2016
The IOC have today endorsed state-sponsored doping. In doing so, have effectively said the Olympic Games no longer matter, can't be trusted.
— Nick Harris (@sportingintel) July 24, 2016
Well done IOC you spineless bunch of clowns. Had a chance to make a statement against cheating for future generations but you wimped out.
— Georgie Bingham (@georgiebingham) July 24, 2016
However, the IOC weren’t done yet, and decided that a Russian athlete, who acted as a whistle-blower on doping in the country’s athletics, wouldn’t be allowed compete at the games.
Yuliya Stepanova, a 800m runner, had hoped to compete at Rio under a neutral flag, having refused to run for Russia, but the IOC ethics committee ruled that:
“The sanction to which she was subject and the circumstances in which she denounced the doping practices which she had used herself, do not satisfy the ethical requirements for an athlete to enter the Olympic Games.”
However, her and her husband have been invited to attend the games.
Again, the IOC’s decision was met with scorn and derision.
Russian whistleblower Yuliya Stepanova denied permission to compete in Rio as a neutral athlete … pic.twitter.com/51HI5UtNrN
— Sean Ingle (@seaningle) July 24, 2016
Full statement from USADA, CEO, Travis T. Tygart on today's IOC decision: pic.twitter.com/ANvBWOoyPP
— USADA (@usantidoping) July 24, 2016
No ban for Russia but no place for Yuliya Stepanova either! She doesn't meet 'ethical criteria'!!!!!
— Matt Slater (@mjshrimper) July 24, 2016
The IOC says Yuliya Stepanova can't compete at #rio2016. Today's overall decision will anger, confuse etc many pic.twitter.com/4xSquwEVVG
— Steph Jenzer (@StephJenzer) July 24, 2016
https://twitter.com/Bonnie_D_Ford/status/757218736944349184
