IS sport losing its integrity? It has been, or perhaps I should say, it used to be, perceived that as you moved further up the chain of command, the decisions made on behalf of sport would be strong decisions, sending out a message to all levels of sport on good practice. On many occasions previously, bodies, such as IOC who normally have no problem in issuing a dictate, have demanded that their decisions should be replicated, and this in many occasions was a doctrine cascading right down to grass-roots level.
This however has not been the case with the IOC and their latest decision regarding the state sponsored doping allegations against Russia. This time they have quite clearly stepped aside from the brewing storm leaving many with no other alternative but to clear up the aftermath. We need strong leaders who will stand up for injustice and quite clearly and categorically support those who live and breathe the ethos of the games. Is this the IOC?
How on earth can the IOC believe that devolving a decision of the magnitude of state doping, is in the best interest of all sport? The evidence against Russia seems to be clear and yet this has not been strong enough for the IOC to impose a blanket ban on Russian athletes participating in this summer’s Olympic Games in Rio. This latest faux paus by the IOC could have major implications on the outcome of the games and the future of the Olympics themselves.
So what is the answer to this? The European Athletic President, Svein Arne Hansen, supports the ‘I run clean’ campaign. A slogan that is used on many marketing materials as well as printed on t-shirts, bibs, etc.; #Irunclean it is now a trending hashtag on twitter. This feeble attempt will not make any impact on those who chose to flaunt the rules.
With the Games ready to roll on August 5th we will be glued to our television sets at all times of the night and day, apart from the lucky few who have made the trip of a lifetime to Brazil. Will we be confident that they are there competing on merit and not through some illegal ‘programme’ that clearly enhances their performance?
Why would the majority, and let’s be clear here, the majority of athletes are clean thanks to the very robust programmes that are in place in many countries, want to continually compete on what is becoming a more and more un-equal playing field? To see years of hard work and sacrifice belittled by the very organisation that they have held in the highest esteem, is a gut wrenching disappointment for most.
I wonder what the father of the modern Olympic Games, French educator and historian, and founder of the International Olympic Committee, Pierre de Frédy, Baron de Coubertin would think of this decision? In 1894, Coubertin was the man who penned the motto of the Olympics Games - Citius, Altius, Fortius, which when translated from Latin reads “Faster, Higher, Stronger. He is also responsible for another less known motto that came to prominence during the 1908 Olympic Games “The most important thing is not to win but to take part!”.
Looks like time for a new motto- suggestions on a postcard direct to the IOC.
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