The Case Against Reinstating Russia for the Closing Ceremonies

The banned country may return to the Olympics for the closing night celebration.

Aleksandr Krushelnitckii of Olympic Athletes from Russia looks on against Norway during the Curling Mixed Doubles Bronze Medal Game on day four of the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympic Games at Gangneung Curling Centre on February 13, 2018 in Gangneung, South Korea.  (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Aleksandr Krushelnitckii of Olympic Athletes from Russia looks on against Norway during the Curling Mixed Doubles Bronze Medal Game on day four of the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympic Games at Gangneung Curling Centre on February 13, 2018 in Gangneung, South Korea. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Getty Images

There remains a chance that the International Olympic Committee will reinstate Russia in time to walk in Pyeongchang’s closing ceremonies, and USA Today’s Dan Wolken has written a column pleading with the IOC not to do so. Although Russia has been banned from competition for this Olympic cycle, several Russian athletes have been permitted to compete as “Olympic Athletes from Russia,” including curler Aleksandr Krushelnitckii. Krushelnitcki recently tested positive for the banned substance meldonium. In Wolken’s mind, any attempt to reinstate Russia for the symbolic purposes of the closing ceremonies would be an affront to fair play in the wake of one of sports’ greatest doping scandals.

Win the Ultimate Formula 1® Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix Experience

Want the F1 experience of a lifetime? Here’s your chance to win tickets to see Turn 18 Grandstand, one of Ultimate Formula 1® Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix’s most premier grandstands!