Re:
Going out of your way to specifically attack me, why? Just because I am not going to fall in line to bash everything Russian? They talk about ‘anti-western’ propaganda in a state sponsored news outlet. You are accusing me of labeling Russians as ‘victims’ and half of that article is all about Harvey being the victim of Russian doping. I don’t know what goes on in Russia, I’ve never set foot in that country, and Harvey can say whatever he wants, but not all of us will fall for the ‘poor clean North Americans, getting robbed by those pesky, dirty Russians...’. Anyway, why should it be believed that Harvey himself, wasn’t doping during his career? Because he is Canadian and he complains about Russian doping anytime he is close to the medals and doesn’t win any?
frenchfry said:Excellent interview with Alex Harvey. Among other topics related to his illustrious career, he discusses doping and how dopers have stolen medals, victories and podiums from him over the years. I don't sense too much bitterness, but this doesn't change the facts.
Like BullsFan22, he sees the Russians as "victims", but perhaps in a different way.
https://www.cbc.ca/playersvoice/entry/now-is-the-right-time
For me, there is a difference between doping cases like Landis, or Max Hauke, and the generalized, systemic doping the Russians were caught in after the Sochi Games. Hauke and Landis made individual choices to dope and I have no sympathy for them. Ironically, because Russia has probably stolen the most medals in the last decade, I see their athletes as victims.
Talking with my former teammate Ivan Babikov, who is Russian by birth, I learned that athletes in Russia have very little freedom. Theirs is an almost totalitarian sports system, rife with anti-Western propaganda. They are made to understand that they have to cheat because all the other countries do it. Resistance may mean expulsion from the national team, and precarious consequences.
Going out of your way to specifically attack me, why? Just because I am not going to fall in line to bash everything Russian? They talk about ‘anti-western’ propaganda in a state sponsored news outlet. You are accusing me of labeling Russians as ‘victims’ and half of that article is all about Harvey being the victim of Russian doping. I don’t know what goes on in Russia, I’ve never set foot in that country, and Harvey can say whatever he wants, but not all of us will fall for the ‘poor clean North Americans, getting robbed by those pesky, dirty Russians...’. Anyway, why should it be believed that Harvey himself, wasn’t doping during his career? Because he is Canadian and he complains about Russian doping anytime he is close to the medals and doesn’t win any?