Banning Russian Athletes from Rio 2016

by Stephen Lendman

Don't bet against Washington's dirty hands being behind the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) banning of Russian track and field athletes from Rio 2016 - an unprecedented politicized act.

They're being collectively punishing unjustly, based on doping allegations against some of its members, as well as unfounded accusations about Russian sports not cleaning up its act.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) stopped short of banning all Russian athletes from Rio competition - on the one hand, saying they'll be evaluated individually on their eligibility. On the other, indicating "serious doubts on the(ir) presumption of innocence," - judging them unqualified unless proved otherwise by US-imposed Western standards.

The IOC supported the IAAF's deplorable ruling, calling it "in line with (its) long-held zero-tolerance policy" - selectively enforced against countries America and its rogue allies want targeted, corrupting Olympism more than already, delegitimizing it entirely.

Olympic games are hugely debauched, their dark side disturbing, more about profiteering and exploitation than sport.

Far from promoting good will, open competition, and fair play, they marginalize the poor, other disenfranchised groups, and affected communities - sticking taxpayers with huge expenses, providing nothing in return but hype and the illusion of amateur international sports at their best.

Olympism is big business, billions of dollars involved, host countries spending far more than they can afford. Brazil's Rio de Janeiro state government declared a financial emergency weeks before games begin.

Governor Francisco Dornelles warned about crisis conditions affecting "public security, health, education, mobility and environmental management."

He issued a decree, authorizing "all necessary emergency measures to ration essential public services," punishing needy area residents to enrich exploitive profiteers more than already.

Despite Brazil facing protracted Depression conditions, its US-supported coup d'etat regime imposed force-fed austerity on suffering millions - while pledging billions more dollars for Rio 2016 than already budgeted.

It's unclear if Russian athletes will be allowed to compete this summer. Excluding them delegitimizes Olympism more than already. The best of what amateur athletics should be is absent, spectacle not worth watching replacing it.

Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago. He can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net. 

His new book as editor and contributor is titled "Flashpoint in Ukraine: US Drive for Hegemony Risks WW III."

http://www.claritypress.com/LendmanIII.html

Visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com. 

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