Has the doping scandal taken shine off of the Olympic image?
Posted July 26, 2016 7:19 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
TORONTO (NEWS 1130) – Seven Russian swimmers are the latest athletes to get barred from the Brazil Olympics in Rio over doping concerns. But with the opening ceremonies now 10 days away, how badly has this doping scandal tarnished the reputation of the Games?
University of Toronto kinesiology physical education professor Dr. Bruce Kidd calls the entire doping scandal “very upsetting.”
“It certainly undermines the confidence that the Olympics is an event in which all contributors, all participants are dedicated to the values of fair play and honest sport,” says Kidd.
But it’s the scale of the doping that really concerns him.
Kidd feels clean athletes are mostly angry after finding out the scope of the cheating, but says “there’s also extensive relief or even encouragement,” because the doping isn’t going unpunished.
He doesn’t think there’s any doubt the overall image of the Olympics and the International Olympic Committee has taken a beating.
“[Doping athletes have] taken us for fools, the rest of the world. But much worse than that, they have chosen to thumb their noses at some of the most precious values of the Olympic movement, so it’s very upsetting.”
But he remains optimistic the overall message of unity will triumph in the end, even in Rio.
“I’m an idealist and I believe that the overall purpose of the Olympics is to bring people together under the peaceful auspices of sport and culture to understand each other despite differences; and to create a culture of respect and awareness so that when people are fighting over differences in so many parts of the world, the networks and example of people coming together peacefully can be part of the dialogue to lower the temperature around the world.”
Kidd says that will continue, in spite of the doping.
