New Reports could Exclude Russia from the Olympics; Lauren Bush; 9th Period

Link: http://www.cnn.com/2015/11/09/sport/athletics-doping-wada-coe/index.html

An independent report by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) describes a state-sponsored doping program and Russia’s attempts to cover it up. These findings could result in the exclusion of Russian track and field athletes from the 2016 Olympics in Brazil. 

The report says more than 1,400 samples were destroyed by a Moscow laboratory in an attempt to protect athletes who had failed drug tests, which allowed athletes who shouldn’t have been competing entry into the London 2012 Olympics. 

Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) Director Nikita Kamaev said WADA's report was "unprofessional, illogical and declarative,” and argues that Russia, “took all the necessary measures to fight the doping problem”. Despite the fact that, "Moscow's anti-doping lab was recently recognized as one of the world's best,” RUSADA has agreed to consider WADA's recommendations.

Dick Pound, WADA’s former president who carried out the report, shares his thoughts on the situation. "For the 2016 Olympics our recommendation is that the Russian Federation is suspended. One of our hopes is that they will volunteer that so they can undertake the remedial work needed. If they don't, then it has to play itself out and the outcome may be there are no Russian track and field athletes in Rio.”

Travis T. Tygart, the head of the United States Anti-Doping Agency, also offers his opinion. "If Russia has created an organized scheme of state supported doping, then they have no business being allowed to compete on the world stage.” 

I chose this article because it reflects the current relationship between Russia and the United States. Historically, the Olympics offered some degree of unity between countries. But tension between Russia and the U.S has been growing lately, with our concerns of their involvement in the Middle East, and now their history of cheating in Olympic games. I’m wondering how long these tensions can build before dramatic actions are taken.