Russia’s absence, through a ban or boycott, would be felt far more acutely at the Winter Games than at the Summer Games. Russia is one of the relatively few countries that cares deeply about and excels in the Winter Games. The Winter Games are in particularly fragile shape. More and more, the Winter Games have the artificial feel of a television or movie set. and international sports federations also remain in denial about their own hypocrisy and indifference to widespread doping in many sports through the decades.

Source: New York Times December 05, 2017 08:01 UTC