Deeper Russian drug scandal

[jeremyp]

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/13/sports/russia-doping-sochi-olympics-2014.html?emc=edit_na_20160512&nlid=34921285&ref=cta

Clearly the doping was done with full knowledge and abetting by agents of the Russian government, including FSB, formerly KGB Putin's old agency. The Russian response as usual is to blame it on a western conspiracy to embarrass dear old Russia.

[PearlDaddy]

If Coe and the IAAF let them back in for Rio, they will have lost what credibility they had left.

[1runner1]

Now that the Russia issue has gone MSM doubt there is any way they are allowed in for Rio

[Tuariki]

The Russians invented lying and cheating

[Pakilo]

They are accusing cross country skiers now. What's interesting is that in cross country skiing and most other winter sports 99% of athletes compete abroad during the season, not skipping the World Cup races to only show up at major champs, which is exactly what we traditionally see in T&F. That makes it more difficult to cheat.
Many Russian cross country skiers even have coaches from "the west".

What were the FIS and WADA doing for years before and after Sochi, if we are supposed to believe someone cheated only for Sochi 2014...

If anything proves true the FIS should ban itself.

[Atticus]

If Coe and the IAAF let them back in for Rio, they will have lost what credibility they had left.

I'm still convinced that Coe et al feel Russia (or Kenya) is too big to exclude, so I will fascinated with watching how this all plays out. I think Coe will come up with some excuse to include them, but as you say, if he does, how will he keep credibility?

[booond]

Coe has no credibility.

[Dave]

Coe has no credibility.

He has the opportunity to develop/retain some credibility here. Let's see what he does with that opportunity.

[cubehead]

I think Coe, at best, is in a hopeless position.

Yes the Russian story is bizarre but once you start banning countries for doping where does it end? Some countries are obviously better than others in this matter. And the lengths the Russians were willing to go is amazing but not surprising. But no one is entirely clean...and how is the Russian thing ever get resolved?

[booond]

He has the opportunity to develop/retain some credibility here. Let's see what he does with that opportunity.

I'd say develop credibility but then he pisses off Russia and Kenya and shines a huge light on the problem. He basically says, "no one in the sport is clean and, not only don't we have control over the subject but, we can't be trusted either. Please enjoy the competition."

My guess is he cites some improvements that both countries have made and puts them on double secret probation.

[cubehead]

The real crime in the story is not the doping itself bad enough as it is but the lack of security at the lab. That was truly bizarre.

Rather than banning athletes ban events in Russia, no more Olympics or WCs for you!, and any officials involved.

[Tuariki]

I would be surprised if Coe bans Russia and Kenya from Rio because I believe he still wants to run the IOC and banning those 2 will likely kill any prospect of leading the IOC

[gh]

you keep making it sound like it's a unilateral cCoe decision. It requires a vote of the whole counsel and while he holds lots of sway it's a secret ballot and he can only do so much

[Atticus]

It requires a vote of the whole counsel and while he holds lots of sway it's a secret ballot

I am incorrect in assuming that the council is highly motivated to follow Coe's lead . . . secret ballot or no secret ballot?

[Tuariki]

you keep making it sound like it's a unilateral cCoe decision. It requires a vote of the whole counsel and while he holds lots of sway it's a secret ballot and he can only do so much

Acknowledge your point. But Coe will likely be credited or blamed for whatever way the vote goes.
A point for discussion later today at Pac 12s as I sit here in my room getting ready to take an axe to the car outside with car horn alarm going