Benotti69 said:
I bet if people were to analyse countries that held Olympics and how well the home athletes did at their home games compared to 'away' games the results would tell us something similar to what Russia has been caught doing.
Good. I am glad someone else posted something like this. Perhaps it's been posted by others before, but I know I've mentioned this a few times in clinic threads before, China, Canada, Great Britain and Russia all had record medal hauls at their home olympics. Coincidence(s)? I don't think so. People will probably say 'a lot of money, time and effort was invested, home energy, motivated athletes, home fans, familiar surroundings, language, etc, etc.' How come this isn't said with Russia? All we hear is 'state sponsored this, state sponsored that, KGB, FSB, Putin...' Say something about Great Britain and you'll be labeled a "Russia/Putin sympathizer, brainwashed St. Petersburg troll..." I don't think it's as black and white anymore as it probably seemed in the 60's, 70's and 80's. I don't think people will get so easily fooled, not with the resources available.
On Sky/Froome threads some have felt there is a bias against the Brits and that nationalities shouldn't be attacked in terms of doping and doping-related topics. So why does all of this go out the window with Russia? It's alright to be skeptical about Russian performances at their home Olympics but mention the Froome, Radcliffe, Farah, Wiggins and you are labeled as 'anti-British?' I am all for being pragmatic and neutral, but where is the neutrality when it comes 'joe foreigner,' particularly Russia? And if an athlete who happens to be from an Eastern European country fails a dope test, one of the first things we'll read is 'hey look, he/she is from Eastern Europe, no surprises there...' yet when a Brit or American fails a test....nothing. This sort of talk is borderline xenophobic, in my opinion. I liken it to terrorism and muslims. A terrorist attack happens and boom, we've already established he/she is a muslim or of muslim descent, before any actual evidence comes out. And if the evidence is to the contrary...crickets.