What do people think of this figure skating scandal?

[madaboutharry]

Maybe most people don’t care. I’m not sure how much I care. I actually like watching snowboarding a lot more than figure skating. But, I don’t think athletes who test positive for banned drugs should be allowed to compete as if nothing happened.
In this case, I think there should also be consequences for the coach and those around her who obviously gave her this drug.

[Walleye]

1. Russians cheat

[Joinfortmill]

3. Yup, they do

[Maraya1969]

10. It's not necessarily the athletes but the Russian government that cheats.

I feel bad for the athletes.

[Walleye]

11. Exactly, their cheating is state-sponsored that's what makes it worse

They cheat at sports, they probably apply that same character in other situations

[Irish_Dem]

2. Unless athletes are banned for doping, Olympics games are a farce and corrupt.

Guilty coaches need to be banned as well.

[cilla4progress]

4. Is that why I'm not

that into them this year?

[Irish_Dem]

8. Others are beginning to think the same thing.

The Russians have been cheating for decades.
But now they are more blatant than usual.

They have a huge, sophisticated and successful doping program.

And deliberately go after the kids because they are a protected class and usually just get a reprimand when they have dirty urines.

[madaboutharry]

5. I think so too.

There is no credibility. The “Russian Olympic Committee” team is a joke in itself. Why are they there after Russia engaged in state sponsored doping? It’s ridiculous.

[Irish_Dem]

9. The ROC is a joke, and the result of Olympic committee corruption.

[sheshe2]

14. she doped.

she cheated. she is out.

whether it was her or state, she should be banned.

[Irish_Dem]

15. Exactly

[MLAA]

6. I agree, the coach(s) who gave it to her should be banned for sure.

Heartbreaking for a minor athlete who is/was dependent on her coaches. Hate to see her banned from the Olympics. I don’t know how much the banned substance in her blood drawn in December would still have a positive impact on her performance 6 weeks later, but if it does still give her an advantage it isn’t fair to the other skaters.

[Irish_Dem]

19. The point is she gained entrance to the Olympics by cheating.

It is not fair for her to be there at all.

This minor child is being seriously damaged by her coach.
She needs to leave as soon as she can.

[ProfessorGAC]

24. The Advantage Exists

The drug she was on would have an effect similar to EPO.
After it's gone, the added stamina due to excess blood oxygenation may wane but....
During the training phase the increased oxygenation allows for longer training sessions, particularly those involving explosion moves to develop a higher fraction of fast-twitch muscle fibers.
That advantage would, with continued training, last indefinitely.
For a skater, being able to jump higher (an obvious fast-twitch activity) is a huge advantage.
An extra 4" is the difference between landing a quad and even completing 4 rotations. Three & two-thirds rotations is also known as falling.
In 6 weeks, that leaping ability would still be there, 100%.

[MLAA]

26. Thank you, Professor!

I’d like to see the powers that be come down extremely hard on the Russian coaches/trainers. Russia has blatantly flaunted the doping regulations over and over again. Although I do have a little empathy for the minor skater, I also feel for those who have to compete against her.

What is your opinion?

[ProfessorGAC]

27. She's14

Nothing long term.
She'll only be 18 next winter games.
Kick her out of this one, don't ban her.

[Srkdqltr]

7. They would all cheat if there were no way to check.

[More_Cowbell]

12. ROC should lose the team medal and Valieva should not compete in singles

That's a punishment on ROC. She shouldn't be banned; she should be able to come back. Although that's unlikely because the terrible coach Tutberidze uses young women up so that they have to retire early with debilitating injuries. There's always another crop of 15-year-olds for the next Olympics.

We should know the results of the disciplinary hearing around 1am eastern time, although we've heard conflicting deadlines before.

[Irish_Dem]

18. The children of this coach "burn out quickly."

Meaning she seriously injures them.

The best thing for this skater is to get as far away from skating as possible.

[viva la]

13. She's 15

That coach is known for being rather negligent for her athletes' safety.-- several broken by 18 or 19.

The child will get punished. The coach got coach of the year last year, I think. It's not really fair.

[Irish_Dem]

16. Because of the lax rules, the Russians specifically target children for the doping.

Minor children cannot be led legally responsible so they get a warning many times.

So in effect, the doping committees encourage child abuse and endangerment.

[viva la]

22. I remember all those East German athletes

... forced to dope, the women taking male hormones that messed them up for life...

But it's just like in the NCAA college sports world-- the young athletes are the ones who bear the brunt of the punishment, while the authorities and coaches make millions.

[Irish_Dem]

23. yep. They make the child skaters take drugs to block puberty.

Puberty means weight gain.

They also put them on strict diets and encourage eating disorders.

Also all the other drugs which cause lifelong problems.

It would be considered a crime here in the US.

Exactly, the US college athletes have faced abuse as well.

[ProfessorGAC]

25. They Did That With Gymnasts, Too

Retard puberty & adolescence, load them with high protein, low fat diets to build muscle beyond what the under matured bones could handle.
Olga Korbut had hip problems in her 30s. Knees, I suppose I could understand. But, hips in a 30 something? Something seems amiss about that.

[sheshe2]

17. I really don't bother to watch the Olympics anymore.

So many scandals have taken away from the excellence of the athletes that have trained their whole life.

This drug abuse is one, if she knew or not she should be out, she or they cheated and takes away from those that did not. Tanya Harding is another one. Then the abuse of the gymnasts and by their doctor/trainer. Their testimony before congress made me cry for these young women and it was years before they were able to be heard.

[madaboutharry]

20. I agree 100%.

It is so dirty. So many bad people using athletes in terrible and nefarious ways and then other athletes knowingly cheating.

[sheshe2]

21. TY

I was afraid I stood alone, mad.