No Russians – no REAL Olympics.
Today, the US Hockey team won gold in the Olympics. A personal achievement for the individual athletes. However, to keep it in perspective, it is an empty victory on the world stage as it was compromised in the international context when one of the strongest competitors, Russia, was not permitted to participate.
Ice hockey history shows that Russia — and previously the Soviet Union — has long been one of the strongest competitors in the world.
The Soviet Union won Olympic gold in 1956, 1964, 1968, 1972, 1976, 1984, and 1988, and Russia later won gold in 1992 (as the Unified Team) and again in 2018.
With decades of dominance at world championships as well, Russia has historically been a top-tier contender. When a nation is excluded from competition, the competitive field is unjust – and not a true reflection of who is the actual champion.
While athletes can only compete against those permitted to participate, it is only fair to acknowledge that a championship achieved without facing one of the sport’s strongest historical contenders is not the same as defeating the full global field.
Soviet teams proved their strength repeatedly against NHL-caliber competition in events like the Summit Series and Canada Cup. Russia has also won multiple IIHF World Championships in the 2000s (2008, 2009, 2012, 2014).
The historical record shows the Russians to be a sustained hockey powerhouse throughout decades. Russia is one of the strongest in the world – and should have been allowed to compete.
Russian athletes were excluded or restricted across multiple Olympic sports — including figure skating, gymnastics, track and field, wrestling, fencing, swimming, biathlon, and weightlifting — sports in which Russian and Soviet athletes have historically ranked among the world’s elite.
The only reason they were not allowed to compete is due to pervasive Western hatred of Russians – a sentiment sadly supported by many Americans.
Even in an area such as sports, many Americans will defend their country “right or wrong.”
Only a few, the critical thinkers,the objective, and those who truly appreciate integrity in sports, lament the absence of Russians in this Olympics.
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