Russia receives 4 year Olympic ban from WADA

[Nik]

Russia banned for 4 years from international competition

This apparently will also apply to the FIFA World Cup. Not sure if it applies  any IIHF stuff but apparently, like the last Olympics, clean Russian athletes will be apply to compete as independents.

[Highlander]

Wonder if this will piss off Putin to do something really stupid, like flex his muscles.

[Rob]

Wonder if this will piss off Putin to do something really stupid, like flex his muscles.

Shirt on or off?

[Highlander]

Off of course, with his testosterone expanded torso. If he flex's both biceps at the same time the world will shudder and the earth will crumble.

[hockeyfan1]

Off of course, with his testosterone expanded torso. If he flex's both biceps at the same time the world will shudder and the earth will crumble.

LOL.  Sounds funny the way you put it.  And, may I ask, what of his ‘compatriot’?  (You know who I mean, the fellow in the other big country from across the ocean far & away).

[Highlander]

Off of course, with his testosterone expanded torso. If he flex's both biceps at the same time the world will shudder and the earth will crumble.

LOL.  Sounds funny the way you put it.  And, may I ask, what of his ‘compatriot’?  (You know who I mean, the fellow in the other big country from across the ocean far & away).

In England the word Trump basically means Fart, so if he lets a whopper, he could basically fly off the planet, making multitudes happy and Nancy P would have a smile like the Joker forever.

[Nik]

Upon reflection,  I don't really think the "Russians can compete but not as Russians" punishment really makes sense. For starters, it doesn't really mean anything. I'm pretty sure the guys on the "Neutral Athletes" team who won gold in hockey last Olympics feel like they won a gold medal for Russia and the propaganda value is still there if a Russian athlete wins.

But more to the point, the pressure for reform to the Russian system should come from within and if the Athletes still get 99% of the experience/reward of the Olympics, that's just not going to happen.