When do politics and sports ever mix in a good way? (From Russia With Love Edition)

I've been consistent on this issue since 1980, when I sued the USOC for grounding U.S. athletes due to the Moscow Games boycott, spearheaded by President Jimmy Carter. In 1980 we could have showed up, as Americans, and beaten the Soviets on their own turf - which would be more powerful and meaningful than following a failed political stunt that had zero positive gains for the U.S. or its athletes.

More to the point - politics almost always ruins sports, especially the Olympic Games. The Games are to be a fair and even field for competition, for all of the peoples of the world to set aside their differences and compete together in unity.

If athletes - Russians included - wish to #PrayForUkraine, that's not political. Wishing for an end to this devastating conflict and calling for peace - this is not political. But joining a political rally designed to highlight the actions of the Russian government - that is definitely political.

I would advise all athletes to keep their politics to themselves and focus on using their platforms to aid and help the greater causes of unity, peace, and cooperation among all of the peoples of the world.

ARTICLE: https://olympics.nbcsports.com/2022/03/23/russia-olympic-athletes-vladimir-putin-rally/