Suspending Russia from all branches for four years by the World Sports Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is the longest and most severe ever imposed by it against any body • The taste for such extreme punishment is twofold

• The Agency exercised its powers of punishment under the Bylaws

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  Notwithstanding

Suspending Russia from all industries for four years by the World Sports Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is the longest and most severe case ever imposed by it against any body, not least against a sports superpower such as Russia. It is such a sweeping and wide suspension that it applies to anyone who plays a Russian role in all world sports. In fact, this is the end chord for point suspensions imposed on Russian teams at various events and industries. In doing so, the Agency exercised its powers of punishment by virtue of the Anti-Doping Policy in Sports.

The taste for such an extreme punishment is twofold. One - it has been proven that the Russian sports bodies have provided athletes with systematic stimulating and organized stimulants. And the other - the Russian Doping Agency (RUSADA), which is supposed to enforce anti-doping laws in Russia, not only failed to do its job, but cooperated with the Russian sports bodies and helped them evade evidence.

On the legal level, the only option the Russian Olympic Committee has to act to reverse or change the decision is to contact the Sports Arbitration Institute (CAS) - which is the supreme jurisdiction of all sports organizations and founders of the International Olympic Committee - to appeal the WADA decision, and hope it becomes Or at least sweeten the decision.

At the same time, athletes (and selected teams) can apply independently to the World Doping Agency, prove that they have no partner in taking organized drugs, if at all, and seek to participate in the Olympic Games as independent athletes. An athlete who is approved to participate in games despite suspension may do so under the Russian flag, and in any case of winning such an athlete's medal - the Russian flag will not be hoisted during the medal ceremony, and the Russian anthem will not be played.

Russians will turn to the Arbitration Institute in Sport (CAS) // Photo: Reuters