I Know Sport And Politics Shouldn't Mix.....

[Ken4155]

.................but it is sometimes unavoidable.

F1 has yet to do likewise regards the Russian Grand Prix set to take place in September. Some drivers have stated they will not compete.

https://www.bing.com/search?q=eufa+move+champions+league+final+to+paris&cvid=5a985fc2c97c4b31837d68c41d186e54&aqs=edge..69i57.7676j0j1&pglt=43&FORM=ANNTA1&PC=LCTS

[bhg481]

Any thoughts on the ROC team being barred from the Paralympics?

[jno]

Ken, my thinking is that it's almost always unavoidable it's just that most of the time this doesn't actually cause problems. But when the British government allots more to training cyclists than the GDP of Surinam*, that is still government interference.

*made-up statistic, but you get the idea

[Stickybottle]

bhg481
Any thoughts on the ROC team being barred from the Paralympics?
———
After the debacle with the young skater I am all for that too
Christopher Dean said that it is diabolical that they (Russia) still turn up at the Olympics but under another flag
The doping regime and mindset has not changed and never will

[bhg481]

My thoughts exactly, Sticky.

[ichkeria]

No need for anyone to boycott anything in this case.
In fact these decisions mean no boycotts are necessary

[bhg481]

Ichy- sorry, I don't understand your post. Are you saying that you think the ROC should be barred from the Paralympics because doing so will remove the need for other countries to boycott them?

[ichkeria]

I’m talking about the decisions on F1 and the Champions league
If the ROC is allowed to compete in the Paralympics then it will be up to individuals to decide what to do
Personally I’d go as the event isn’t in Russia

[calmck]

Man U have cancelled sponsorship with Russian airline

[bhg481]

Ichy - thanks for clearing that up. I think the more events we bar Russians from the more likely the Russian population are likely to get upset with Putin.

[ichkeria]

Seems a bit harsh to bar the Paralympians somehow.
Maybe that’s silly of me

[bhg481]

Yes, it does seem harsh to ban "innocent" athletes but I feel we need to get the population to see how much the world is upset by Putin's actions.

[Ken4155]

I agree, Ich. It would be wrong to punish the sportsmen and women of Russia because of the actions of their leader. Spartak Moscow have drawn Leipzig in the next round of the Europa League and have been told they must play their 'home' leg on neutral ground.

[Mozz71]

I agree that it is harsh to ban the athletes from the Paralympics. To me a better response is to have them compete under a guest banner, perhaps an Olympics banner.

No celebration of Russian-ness by raising the flag or playing the anthem in the even of a win.

[bhg481]

Mozz - that's exactly what happened at the Olympics but everybody still refers to them as "The Russians" and their team name was "Russian Olympic Committee". If they are going to enter under a guest banner the name should not include "Russia".

[Stickybottle]

Avatar Image Mozz71
I agree that it is harsh to ban the athletes from the Paralympics. To me a better response is to have them compete under a guest banner, perhaps an Olympics banner.
——-
Russia already does
The ROC flag
Russia by any other name still

Yes it would be awful for their Paralympians but it would lead to further pressure on Putin
Ironically a humanitarian one that would still not register with him but nonetheless I am sure their athletes want nothing to do with his regime anyway

[Old_Geezer]

I don't like polluting sports by bringing in politics as justification to spoil it. But I think when at war, or disapproving of a nation who has deliberately started a war (in this case to bully and take over another nation) a line has been crossed and, as much as practically can be, both trade & sport (maybe other things too) need to be stopped; as their action is beyond the Pale. One waits to see how this all pans out.

[Old_Geezer]

It's not punishment, it's consequences.

[Mozz71]

Bhg, I agree, that's why I suggested an Olympic flag rather than a ROC one.

Sticky, that's if you think banning the Russian athletes from entering would bother Putin in the slightest, which I honestly do not.

[ichkeria]

“ Spartak Moscow have drawn Leipzig in the next round of the Europa League and have been told they must play their 'home' leg on neutral ground”

Damn right too. I’m fact i didn’t realise they were even still in it. Did they get a bye?

[Peter Pedant]

dstimates of 5m in total ( internal refugees)
so I dont think 60 000 will make much difference