IOC’s decision not to ban full Russia team welcome

Athletes who have worked hard and are free of drugs must not be made to pay for the offences of others

The International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) decision not to ban the entire Russian squad from the Rio Olympics is welcome. Athletes who have trained hard for years and made a lot of sacrifices will breathe a sigh of relief. They can, after all the tension and doubt, realise their childhood dreams of taking part in one of the world’s most celebrated sporting events — if they are free of drugs.

Olympic officials were under intense pressure to keep Russia out of the games after a second World Anti-Doping Agency investigation found evidence of a doping programme orchestrated by the state. The IOC has ruled that the entire Russian squad will not be banned from the Olympics. It said individual federations must decide whether the athletes are free of drugs and can compete. The International Amateur Athletic Federation has banned Russian track and field athletes from the games. The other federations will have to scramble to make a decision on the rest of the athletes.

Sport, be it cycling or track and field, has seen several instances of top athletes testing positive for drugs as they try to enhance their performance to beat the competition. Doping has become a sophisticated operation. Hence, there must always be a crackdown on doping and athletes in turn must cooperate with the authorities to keep their sport clean. This is of prime importance. No one wants to see a sport that has been tainted by drugs and cheating. Doping goes against the very grain of competing.

However, because a few athletes may have taken drugs, the authorities must not punish everyone — specifically those who have worked hard and stayed clean. It is unfair to them and unfair to the sport. A shadow of doubt has been cast and the issue will be on people’s minds, but in just under two weeks the world will see a carnival of human spirit and talent in Rio. That is why we celebrate sport. It has to stay clean.