Expert: Russia Banned from Olympics and Global Sports for 4 Years Over Doping

Global antidoping leaders agreed unanimously on Monday to banish Russia from international sports — including next summer’s Olympic Games in Tokyo — for four years, the latest and severest punishment yet connected to a years long cheating scheme that has tarnished global sport. (New York Times)

Here is an expert from McGill University that can provide comment on this issue:

Lindsay Duncan, Associate Professor and William Dawson Scholar, Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education

“A 4-year ban on Russia is a reasonable sanction that addresses the doping problem on the level that it occurred (state-level rather than individual-level). The 4-year ban imposes consequences for people who have been active in facilitating doping activities but still sends a message to athletes that if they commit to clean sport there is a path for them to international competition.”

Prof. Lindsay Duncan is an Associate Professor in the Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education and the Director of the Theories and Interventions in Exercise and Health Psychology (TIE) Laboratory. Her research focuses on investigating strategies to support the initiation and maintenance of physical activity and health behaviour change.

lindsay.duncan [at] mcgill.ca (English)