While USOC waits on doping probes, others in U.S. want action

PARK CITY, Utah — While a growing number of American athletes and Olympic leaders are calling for Russia’s ouster from the upcoming games, executives at the U.S. Olympic Committee insist they must wait for the results of doping investigations that will determine the country’s status.

“This has taken a long time to get sorted out, and we’re very anxious to see the outcome,” USOC CEO Scott Blackmun said Monday. “Until they come out with their findings, it’s premature to prejudge the outcome. But obviously, if things are as they appear … there have to be consequences.”

The USOC’s wait-and-see attitude contrasts with those of American CEOs including Tiger Shaw (U.S. Ski and Snowboard), Max Cobb (U.S. Biathlon) and Travis Tygart (U.S. AntiDoping Agency), along with athletes Susan Dunklee, Lowell Bailey (biathlon) and Andy Newell (cross-country skiing). All want to see Russia banned from the Olympics, with exceptions made for athletes who can prove they’ve been subject to a robust anti-doping program, and would then compete under a neutral flag.

Shaw, whose organization will make up more than one-third of the U.S. team at the Pyeongchang Games, said “we’re tired of waiting for the apparatus to do nothing.”

“I just have this pit in my stomach that people in power are going to sweep some things under the rug and not have athletes or institutions face the music,” Shaw said. “It’s sad we have a system in place and they’re using it inadequately.”