The olympics and Russia

We're now 5 days into the Olypmics, and it's been amazing so far. I'm personally looking forward to seeing the sprints and the cycling, swimming and diving was amazing!

I know it's kind of old news at this stage, but I'm sure we're all aware of the Russian doping scandal from a couple weeks ago. Even though they doped, the team was still allowed to contend and this isn't the first time the Russian team has done it sadly. What's your thoughts on it? Do you think the team should have been allowed to play, or should some or all have been banned? And most importantly what do you think should be done to try and prevent it again?

Personally I believe the athletes that were using the drugs should have been banned from the 2016 games. As for the doping, I think random spot checks should be introduced. I know there are routine ones for let's say a few hours before races, but there's no harm in just randomly saying "ok, we'll have another 5 minutes before the start." The tests don't take long to do, it would definitely catch some users out and it would probably frighten away other potential drug users.

That's my opinion, what are yours? Thanks for reading and I hope you have a great day/evening

I think the athletes should have been banned from competing. It is completely unfair that they were allowed to compete after being caught doping. I don't understand why they've allowed them to compete. Seems to me that there should be pretty strict rules against performance enhancers. In fact I thought they were pretty strict rules. I figured anyone caught doping would be immediately banned from the Olympics.
It's a shame that these athletes are driven to do that to their bodies. It seems like there is a culture of drugging in Russia and that's too bad. Athletes shouldn't have to take illegal drugs just to be competitive. Sports are supposed to be a measurement of an athlete's individual strength and skill not a measurement of how doped up one can get.

I think it's nice that the competition also represents brain muscles. Developing drugs and using them for top international sport competitions is not for the feeble minded... You need chemists, doctors, con artists, people skills and team spirit. Quite possibly the most interesting and technical aspect of the competition.

Dont ask me , apparantly we send someone home for drinking a few beers , its tearing up the country in a for Yuri and against Yuri camp , we did not have this much disagreement since Brexit happened :laugh:

Oh Lord, don't get me started on Brexit!!

No. The athletes should be jailed (unless they took the drugs without knowing it).

I don't reckon they should allow professional athlete's either but I guess that becomes a bit tricky when it needs to engage the public's interest in sport's which already have pro followings.

Just more nonsense to stir up negative public perception of Russia.

Lightstrider wrote: Just more nonsense to stir up negative public perception of Russia.

I don't think systemic cheating in international sport is nonsense.

Adder wrote: I don't reckon they should allow professional athlete's either but I guess that becomes a bit tricky when it needs to engage the public's interest in sport's which already have pro followings.

What is an Olympic Athlete but a professional athlete? They train their entire lives for it and often make money in other competitions in the interval years. So how is that any different then and NBA player or what have you? I am a little curious as to what you meant.