Rio Olympics 2016

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

Rio Olympics 2016

paulisi · Tennis legend

I don't think ticket sales are like London, where it was very difficult to get tickets. I understand that there were plenty of tickets available for most of the events.

A131 · Intermediate Club Player

Keep forgetting this is going to be with us in a few months - good luck with getting tickets/place to stay should you decide to go Bob. Wouldn't think tickets for the tennis would be sold out even though it is probably quite a popular sport out there - well Guga probably still is!

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

Thought I would reactivate this thread before the Serbian DC tie thread becomes completely overtaken by Olympic chatter.

So what does everyone think of the IOC's decision today re allowing Russia to still be represented at the Olympics. For me, it is a total cop out. Bascially they are saying that they are too scared to ban Russia, but they authorise indivivual sporting bodies to ban Russian athletes if they want. What a bunch of chickens. Too afraid of Putin and losing Russia's financial backing. They should grow a spine and stand up for what is right.

I would have thrown Russia out completely and sent a clear message that they are serious about tackling doping in sport. I understand fully that this desicion would be harsh on those Rusian athletes/sportspersons who are clean but I still think a total ban was the right decision.

The very least that could have done (and still could do) is stop the Russian Federation from participating in the opening ceremony. Let the clean Russian athletes (and I am sure there are a few of them) march under the Olympic flag, but don't let Russia, as a nation, march around the stadium in the opening ceremony under their own flag when that have quite clearly flouted not only the doping regulations, but also the very essence of what the Olympics is all about.

philwrig · Hall of fame

I think it's right that the 7 Russian tennis players, who are regularly tested outside the country have been allowed to compete, but I also believe that they have taken the right decision to ban all track and field athletes. As for the other sports I don't know enough about the drug testing procedures to say yes or no. But then you have the likes of Justin Gatlin, who has failed 2 drugs test, who is allowed to compete.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

I'm with Bob.

I realise that it is unfair to the clean Russian athletes.

But when Amercia boycotted the Moscow Olympics that was 'unfair' to the US athletes.

The point was that certain things are more important than the individual athletes' rights and hopes.

And that's still the case, with direct, state-sponsored drug cheating, in flagrant contradiction to every Olympic rule and ethos.

Sim · County player

I agree with Bob as well.

The cheating was far wider than a few athletes and sometimes you have to make a stand.

the compromise of allowing Russian athletes to compete under the IOC flag and I would expand that to include medal ceremonies as well so no Russian flags or anthems) would be a good compromise.

Another precedent for country wide bans was English football teams from European competitions 1985 to 1990. There were plenty of "innocent clubs and fans" who suffered - Coventry and Wimbledon both won their only FA cup in that period.

The one Russian who should be competing is Yulia Stepanova (the whistle-blower). It is not exactly much incentive to whistle-blowers to ban them as well. I know she has been guilty of doping but as has already been pointed out so is Justin Gatlin.

paulisi · Tennis legend

I think the IOC has been very inconsistent in their process. They have banned some athletes who have failed tests in the past, but not all. They have left the individual associations take the fall for any potential bans.

The IOC have not come out in a very good light, but certain members of the IOC committee are allegedly well connected to the Putin regime and don't want to upset the apple cart.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

The Bryan brothers are out of Rio

Sascha Zverev too

-- Edited by Coup Droit on Saturday 30th of July 2016 07:19:12 PM

steven · Tennis legend

Has anyone told the Bryan brothers that there are now mosquitoes with Zika in the US? (albeit only in Florida at the moment)

indiana · Tennis legend

Don't the mosquitoes much prefer summer ?

USA : it's summer
Brazil : it's winter

So all the Florida tennis training camps, academies, err homes etc will be being abandoned I guess ...

-- Edited by indiana on Saturday 30th of July 2016 09:42:27 PM

steven · Tennis legend

Yes, though the average high in August for Rio is still about 25C. Obviously, Zika is much more prevalent among the relevant species of mosquito in Brazil but it might not be long before there's a significant risk of getting it in the southern US.

That said, it can't be easy for those who have to make the decisions, but it is interesting that withdrawals seem to be far more prevalent in sports where the Olympics aren't the absolute pinnacle.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

steven wrote:
Yes, though the average high in August for Rio is still about 25C. Obviously, Zika is much more prevalent among the relevant species of mosquito in Brazil but it might not be long before there's a significant risk of getting it in the southern US.

That said, it can't be easy for those who have to make the decisions, but it is interesting that withdrawals seem to be far more prevalent in sports where the Olympics aren't the absolute pinnacle.

Absolutely.

Given that many of the water sports athletes are seemingly at far greater risk (from water pollution) and yet all seem to be going, and yet a whole host of tennis players, golf players etc. are not going, due to the risk of a virus which is mild/very mild apart from for 'at risk' people, it only reaffirms my opinion that such sports should not be in the Olympics.

AliBlahBlah · All-time great

It will be instructive to monitor the Florida outbreak, and the reaction of many golfers and tennis players based there for a consistent response.
If, come the Miami tournament in 2017 - when hundreds of thousands of dollars and hundreds of ranking points are on offer, rather than 'just' a medal - the situation in Florida has remained, or worsened, then we'll see how committed these players are to their premise.

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

Could the IOC make more of a mess of the whole situation if they really tried ?

This is now being reported on the BBC website.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) says a three-person panel will have the final say on which Russian athletes can compete at the Rio Games.

Last week the IOC said individual sports' governing bodies must decide if Russian competitors are clean amid claims of state-sponsored doping.

But it now says the newly convened panel "will decide whether to accept or reject that final proposal".

Perhaps they will make the final decisoin after the games are complete. I wouldn't put it passed them.