CALGARY – Beckie Scott says she’s encouraged by the International Olympic Committee’s decision to ban Russia from the 2018 Winter Olympics and allow only clean athletes from that country to compete as neutrals.
The former Canadian cross-country skier has been an anti-doping campaigner since her bronze medal in 2002 was upgraded from silver and then to gold because athletes who finished ahead of her were disqualified over failed doping tests.
The IOC says Russian athletes have to prove they’re clean in order to compete in Pyeongchang, South Korea in February. They can’t wear the Russian flag or hear the Russian anthem played if they win gold.
Scott is the chair of the World Anti-Doping Agency’s athlete committee. She says the IOC’s announcement sends a strong message to clean athletes that they’ll be protected.
She also says if she was competing in Pyeongchang, she would feel there is a greater chance at a level playing field.
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