Consequences

I suppose one could put an asterisk beside everyone’s medal totals, since Russia wasn’t participating. Then again, why wasn’t Russia participating, except for a small contingent of athletes who couldn’t compete under the Russian flag?

I thought it must have been because they couldn’t swear off the juice, the illicit HGH and such, but it was actually because they invaded Ukraine in February of 2022.

Kind of surprising they honored the prohibition. One might think Putin and the rest would get heavy-handed, demand to participate, find a way around the ban, invade IOC headquarters or something. In any event, rules are rules, and the IOC said no to Russian participation. Good for them.

And way to go, Vladimir. You ruined a perfectly good opportunity for your athletes to showcase their skills, all because you’re on some ill-advised quest and refuse to read the room.