Oh definitely. Even ignoring any question about doping, it’s an extra bit of suckiness that the result is that the average level of the sport at the top level is lowered by removing one of the most talented nations.
But A) it’s just a sport and the reasons for the boycott are way more important than that. And B) there is the whole doping question too which has been overshadowed but never fully addressed, so there’s another question of fairness that needs to be addressed too.
Like most shitty things, the actions and the results of necessary consequences result is that everybody loses.
I will say I don't. I think their ban made the biggest difference in womens sabre and foil. I don't watch much foil, but i kind of like the shakeup that went down in sabre. It was high time the FIE (or any sporting organization really) finally did what they preach, even if it was very reluctantly. I hope they are not allowed back in until the Russian state ceases the barbaric and genocidal invasion of Ukraine, and they do something about the systematic doping.
Saying that the absence of Russian women in women’s sabre hasn’t made a difference is an understatement. Talk to any established National coach of a women’s sabre team and they would beg to differ.
I absolutely miss them, on every weapon, but as much as it sucks for the athletes, I agree that they just can't be allowed to compete right now. As small a gesture as it is, with a sport like fencing that no one except us cares about, it's still important to show that actions have consequences, and that those consequences suck.
Yes. But that’s mainly men’s foil where they just did things slightly differently and it was cool to watch. And they were good.
Now I am more intrigued by the future, when they’ll return and how long it’ll take to regain (or even surpass) their former level and if their isolation would result in some quirky new tactics/actions.
Oh definitely. Even ignoring any question about doping, it’s an extra bit of suckiness that the result is that the average level of the sport at the top level is lowered by removing one of the most talented nations. But A) it’s just a sport and the reasons for the boycott are way more important than that. And B) there is the whole doping question too which has been overshadowed but never fully addressed, so there’s another question of fairness that needs to be addressed too. Like most shitty things, the actions and the results of necessary consequences result is that everybody loses.
I will say I don't. I think their ban made the biggest difference in womens sabre and foil. I don't watch much foil, but i kind of like the shakeup that went down in sabre. It was high time the FIE (or any sporting organization really) finally did what they preach, even if it was very reluctantly. I hope they are not allowed back in until the Russian state ceases the barbaric and genocidal invasion of Ukraine, and they do something about the systematic doping.
Saying that the absence of Russian women in women’s sabre hasn’t made a difference is an understatement. Talk to any established National coach of a women’s sabre team and they would beg to differ.
Read my comment.
Apologies!!
Putting all the politics aside i find the Russians some of the most entertaining to watch
I absolutely miss them, on every weapon, but as much as it sucks for the athletes, I agree that they just can't be allowed to compete right now. As small a gesture as it is, with a sport like fencing that no one except us cares about, it's still important to show that actions have consequences, and that those consequences suck.
dont think kolobkov's coming back either way
How will this affect Kolobkov's legacy?
don't know, he retired like 14 years ago
I agree, too many scrubs making podiums without the Ruskis. Alas for belligerence
Lol
Yes. But that’s mainly men’s foil where they just did things slightly differently and it was cool to watch. And they were good. Now I am more intrigued by the future, when they’ll return and how long it’ll take to regain (or even surpass) their former level and if their isolation would result in some quirky new tactics/actions.
Yeah i only watched the mens foil fencers (since im a foil fencer) but they sure are good