TOKYO — Coronavirus might be the story of these Olympics, but the years-long Russian doping scandal has remained at the forefront for a third consecutive Games.
With the opening ceremony set for later Friday, World Anti-Doping Agency officials again revisited the Court of Arbitration for Sport case against Russia that they largely won on the facts but lost on the sanction.
Yes, Russia had done everything multiple investigations and WADA’s case determined it did. Nevertheless, the CAS panel reduced the country’s sanction from four to two years in late 2020. Individual athletes not tied to the doping program can compete as neutrals.