Russia banned from 2021 Tokyo Olympics and 2022 World Cup in Qatar

According to the BBC news, the ban that was sanctioned against Russia in 2019 for doping cases between the years 2014 and 2019 has been reduced by 2 years by the Court of Arbitration.

Russia however, still will not be allowed to participate in major international competitions such as the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics, to be held in 2021, nor the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

The ban will be satisfied come December 16, 2022, this means Russia will also be excluded from featuring in the Winter Olympics, to be held in Beijing February of next year.

A sigh of relief for Russia;

Russia will be allowed to compete in the delayed edition of the Euro 2020 tournament, reason being: European UEFA is not recognized as a “major event organisation” about anti-doping rulings and breaches.

Russia is also banned from hosting international events until after the sanction expires.

When WADA “World Anti-Doping Agency” publicized the sanction in December of 2019, Dmitry Medvedev, Prime Minister of the Russia Federation stated that the sanction was because of what he refers to as a “chronic anti-Russian hysteria”.

Chance to compete under a neutral flag, over 168 athletes have competed under a neutral flag prior. Athletes from Russia, provided that they are tested and given the green light by WADA, will be able to compete under a neutral flag. However, they can’t brandish the Russian flag or wear a kit that shows colours that represent the Russian flag, neither can they wear or showcase the Russian badge.

This sanction against the Russians is the most stringent one ever imposed on a nation to date. WADA’s message here – the anti-doping rules are to adhere and breaches will be handled accordingly.