Should Russian athletes be banned from the Olympics? | William Hague and Seb Coe on The Story

'The integrity of our sport was so in question'
Lord Sebastian Coe recounts what he learned from a recent trip to war torn Ukraine to visit the Ukrainian team preparing for the Olympics.
In his monthly episode for The Story, former foreign secretary and Times columnist Lord Hague sits down with Lord Sebastian Coe - gold medal winning Olympian, president of World Athletics, former Tory MP and William’s old chief of staff - to discuss how to tackle doping, should athletes from pariah nations be banned and finding a place for transgender competitors.
Listen to the full episode now: pod.fo/e/257258
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Host: William Hague.
Guest: Lord Sebastian Coe, president, World Athletics.
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[@margaridacosta270]

Usa invaded 57 countries so far, was never banned....

[@xxcabbagedevourer420xx4]

What about japan…… and Germany…. And the Japanese were the most brutal.

[@tomw.6757]

Russia lost. Get used to it

[@user-yj1on3bf1v]

@@tomw.6757 it's your big mistake, russia will winn soon accoding to ortodoxy

[@operator9858]

the olympics were created to bring rivals together. not a tool to keep them apart. the very fact that this needs to be explained demonstrates whose lost their marbles and who hasnt.

[@ThomwoththeWeather]

except Russia attacks Ukraine, the war is aggressors vs defenders..

[@operator9858]

@@ThomwoththeWeather as a nation it doesnt tend to pay off to sit back and do nothing while expansionist military alliances creep up to your doorstep and cut you off from the world ya know what i mean?

[@operator9858]

@@ThomwoththeWeather they really dont like answer to that on youtube.

[@Chilliedogs]

@@ThomwoththeWeatherhis point flew way over your head

[@bigmungus4864]

@@ThomwoththeWeatherthat’s literately how ever war is. That’s the point. No matter what state your country is. The teams can compete in peace

[@Aleksander1812]

Hypocrisy.

[@kaoneroberts4049]

The invaders of Iraq and libya were never banned, and Israel is still invited...

[@jemma_19988]

Ban israel also

[@DanielStivenPradera]

​@@theincrement4898 They also invaded Colombia to steal Panama ! USA has invaded half of the countries of this world cause they believe this world belongs to them but it does not !

[@MarYo88888]

Well. This is called double standard… coz this evil world is run by the USA and NATO.

[@jokedok8044]

​@@theincrement4898how much did you get paid per comment ?

[@pacivalmuller9333]

@@theincrement4898 The double of what you get paid, Yankee.

[@Ghandara-hg1gc]

Seb Coe: "We made a judgement not for politics or passports..." Translation: We decided totally on the basis of (US) politics...

[@cityfreshfoodmart4312]

Russia should not be banned because politics does not have to do anything with individual sport personalities. How you can judge that west is right? We don’t know why war started? It is whole politics. All human should be living in peace. Please stop control and power oriented mind. Many cultures were so powerful in human history but they were destroyed we as western people should learn from history.

[@user-xi2xi7qd3s]

Very interesting that the Russians had to be excluded to their invasion of the Ukraine, but the US weren’t excluded in the 1960’s during the Vietnam War or again - along with coalition nations - during the Afghanistan and Iraq invasions.

[@Talinthis]

Not really very interesting at all. The US never reduced every single building in every city their army went to dust with indiscriminate artillery bombings nor displaced tens of millions of civiians. Ukraine never blew up the twin towers, refused to give up the terrorist responsible, etc.

[@mikedon5205]

Afghanistan at least the Americans could point to Bin ladin group using the country the other 2 wars you have a point

[@Sharky1101]

Would you ban the Nazi’s if the Olympics were held in the 40’s?

[@ant.8673]

They are not killing millions of Jews, and starting a war to concert the entire world. No they should not be banned, this is Putins issue and not those people he rules.

[@BlackMarketHoney]

@@Sharky1101 yep.

[@attilamarics3374]

Stop humiliating yourself with these comments.

[@francisverhelst9375]

Are you an idiot ?

[@gerarddearie-zd2gb]

Hard to do, as there were no Olympics BECAUSE of the Nazis.

[@Hongaars1969]

I wasn’t born in South africa. My parents moved there when I was merely 2 years old. I grew up during the apartheid years. Without any doubt, it was a heinous regime. South Africa was rightfully banned from all major sporting events yet the debate about whether to ban Russian athletes continues. The hypocrisy continues

[@dalecrocker3213]

Russia in 2024 bears no resemblance to S Africa under apartheid.

[@dazjackson1972]

A better comparison (with SA) would be a country such as Qatar, which severely discriminates against religious & other minorities. Although they were recently rewarded with the Football World Cup.

[@shaun1463]

did your family also steal land?

[@dazjackson1972]

@@shaun1463 The black people living in SA today are not descendants of the original inhabitants. The Zulus for example, didn't arrive much before the Dutch did.

[@Hongaars1969]

@@shaun1463 yes… we went around the country every day stealing every inch of land we could grab. What do you think!!! Do you know how to? Maybe try thinking before writing.

[@jacquespictet5363]

What about Israel athletes ? Shouldn't they be treated as the Russian ones ?

[@AUmarcus]

Israel was attacked, Russia wasn't, so no.

[@oneshothunter9877]

@@AUmarcus Question: WHY was Israel attacked?

[@AUmarcus]

@@oneshothunter9877 Because Muslims don't want them there. Question: Does Israel have the right to live peacefully? I think you know the answer.

[@waynepatterson6167]

You are mad Israel occupied that land palistanines have the right to defend themselves and now there causing genocide and by the way there is Christians in gaza as well its not the jews that are the problem it zionest like you ​@AUmarcus

[@ngbryan6183]

​@@oneshothunter9877October 17

[@shaun1463]

why when they want to defend isreal they say its complex its been going on for many years but when they do something terrible which is on a daily basis, they say oh no it was oct 7th which was terrible and started it.

[@davidbentley4731]

Of course they should be banned. It’s not just the war. It’s also the state sponsored doping.

[@attilamarics3374]

Well, if thats a reason, every country would be banned.

[@davidbentley4731]

@@attilamarics3374 Russia has invaded a sovereign country and is committing atrocities as we speak. Not only that, they have had a state sponsored doling program for years. I can’t think of another country in recent memory who has tried to take over another country although it’s fair to argue that the US invasion of Iraq was close. But still not comparable. Russia has stolen thousands of children from Ukraine. They routinely tortured civilians particularly during the early stages. They have used chemical weapons on civilians. Comparing this with any other conflict in the last 80 years is just ignorant false equivalency.

[@christiner302]

​@attilamarics3374 The doping tables across all sports, summer and winter, show Russia at the top. On the track some African nations figure, the US much less than ever before. Russia still has Soviet era people in charge of their sport and so the doping culture is still strong.

[@attilamarics3374]

@@christiner302 Were there an American athlete that didnt admit doping after his career was over? I dont remember. Just because they dont get caught during the olympics, means nothing.

[@goldthegamernathanjlyon8651]

Your wrong politics should not get involved in sports no matter what their home country did. isreal is not banned, and they sabotage Palestine so why should russia get banned?

[@JayDeeChannel]

Politicians are so weak.

[@user-lj3ih3bb8d]

So Gaza "is not in front of your eyes". That says all one needs to know.

[@icomment2226]

?? If Marine Le Pen would have been President of France, then no Olympic Games? I thought that the point of the Olympic Games is *TO PUT POLITICS ASIDE* ..... so maybe rename this thing to *THE POLITICAL GAMES* so that way we know. Anycountries that President Biden/Harris (USA) does not like is AUTOMATICALLY out of the Olympic Games. Maybe put a banner so that it is clear!!??

[@2010hyundaielantra]

If a literal sex offender can play, so can Russia.

[@kerrygligorovic9758]

If President Putin haven't started this war with Ukraine in the first place then the Russian athletes wouldn't have been banned from the Olympics games and could have compete in the Paris Olympics.

[@sweetblaqcoffey962]

There was still be the issue of super-doping. Russia brazenly use steroids to give their athletes a push up.

[@dobianuli2742]

Just do some basic research sheep, Russia didn’t start the war. Plenty of countries have been caught cheating- Russia have been punished for the drugs that other countries such as USA also use. But different rules for the ‘west’ I suppose.

[@DanielStivenPradera]

USA started the War by militarizing Ukraine. I'm sure if Russia would the same with Mexico then USA would invade mexico many time ago ! USA politics are as Fake as Satanic !

[@MarYo88888]

USA support Israel to committed genocide. They are still playing

[@francisheperi4180]

Do more research;

[@Blixey-r9z]

IOC decision reasoning / principle seems reasonable moving forward . It would have applied to the 2nd Iraq war & been a reasonable consequence for manufactured/fraudulent / recklessly negligent casus belli. Vietnam war as well.

[@danielosterman9676]

The Russians are almost cartoon villains

[@operator9858]

coming from the woke mob this is hilarious. this is a literal meme...

[@Learner_29]

Ice bear is not a villain🥲. But the hero💪😮.

[@kevinjewell233]

Not to forget the oath that Russia swore to when Ukraine gave them their nuclear weapons...

[@glintongordon6811]

A coup destroyed that constitution

[@equsnarnd]

Yes!

[@metalvideos1961]

Those where from the USSR and they never where from Ukraine. Get your facts straight

[@Mdksupreme1]

You're quite dim-witted for that statement, the us invaded Iraq and killed hundreds of thousands, don't heat you saying anything though

[@jokedok8044]

lol you dont even know basic history hahah

[@MiZtErNiCe]

This channel censors comments 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@Nic-du6xe]

Looking back at history, when all peace efforts failed, it was always arts, literature, sports and music that often had the only impactt to make normal people understand there never was a them vs us in the first place and that generally no one wants wars created except a power hungry few. Those disciplines of arts and humanities were often the main drivers for future peace. Athletes should not be allowed to display war symbols or speak propaganda but they should be given a fair chance to participate otherwise we are playing into the hands of those who try to create false narratives that there actually is a devide of the common global people when there really isn't.

[@waynepatterson6167]

Seb coe the hypocrite makes me sick he says he not into the what about well what about he shuts hes double standard mouth

[@calc1657]

They should be banned due to the state-sponsored doping.

[@alexandrustefanmiron7723]

No! Wasn't the Olympics exactly about nations in conflict coming together to compete!

[@Joshpox]

They also maintained a ceasefire throughout. So Russia can lead by example and withdraw from Ukraine, Syria, Mali, Burkina Faso and Central Africa if they wish to compete.

[@stephenhill545]

Conflicts stopped during the games, because they were an important religious festival, and it was customary in ancient Greece to pause conflicts during those. The most famous example being the Spartans not showing up on time at Marathon.

[@AahFukIt]

​@@JoshpoxShould we ask America to do the same?

[@stizan9185]

@@Joshpox Those places from Africa invited them in, so wdym"?

[@sgpMain]

Great respect to Lord Sebastian Coe!

[@shaun1463]

what were they doing fighting agasinst russia

[@1701enter]

I wonder why would someone want to represent a country that was so horrible to its neighbours and yet could compete with them on a sports event as if nothing had happened when there country was so violent? how can you say well I only want to be an athlete I don't want to think or consider what my country is doing? they agree with that happening, for money, or for fame, none of those reasons are good enough

[@mikedon5205]

Sadly in today's world people are selfish and couldn't care less if others are suffering

[@DanielStivenPradera]

Are you talking about Israel? RUSSIA is a milenial civilization with over 1000 years or rich history. Israel is not even 100 and USA maybe 300 years of dark history and Genocides all around the world !

[@Cosmo1093]

​@@DanielStivenPradera That past 400 years of Russian imperialism is exactly why Eastern European countries are so desperate for NATO membership. They want protection from Russia's "rich history" of trying to conquer and control its neighbors.

[@Learner_29]

Ban all countries in war then.

[@shaquillesheppard4888]

Why isn’t Israel banned

[@ettan2007]

Yes

[@JoeWedgwood-ik9zo]

Keep them out. Cheaters and war criminals

[@Stillcantthinkofaname]

🇺🇲?

[@Mdksupreme1]

You just described the americans, they have the most dopers of any country and they had a 20 year war in Iraq, they should most definitely be banned

[@marynamalitskaya3534]

They won’t go. They are Americans

[@LeonelMartinez-kw9vq]

What ? I thought they are banned?

[@oldowleye3161]

Can’t understand how it crossed the IOC minds the possibility that russia and belarus could participate in the games is shocking !… these to countries should have been automaticlly excluded from the games since the day the war started

[@claireconolly8355]

The IOC is a corrupt organisation. Money would have been a factor. They operate in the finacially secrecy of Switzerland.

[@widerje]

Politics shouldn't be stuffed into every facet of Life as we have done. Athletics is to join us all together in the pursuit of excellence and perseverance. Leave the politicians out of the Olympics.

[@mikedon5205]

Problem is many nations do not want to play Russians at sport anyway

[@jenniferevans4874]

Only yesterday your News’ station were saying Russians were responsible for French train problems 🤣🤣🤣🤣Every day a good laugh with Times Radio

[@ryszardblonski930]

All European federations should ask them politely to join Asian counterparts where most of Russia is, that should have some hit on society, hopefully

[@syth_migl6864]

Not Russia started the war!!!

[@vladsview194]

I did

[@Serbian_Guyanti-ogism2]

Politics aren't involved in sport- littleary nobody now

[@tolgaaykut4557]

How wonderfully biased. Israel 👋

[@dazjackson1972]

There's an argument that NATO countries should have been banned from international sports, following the illegal invasion of Iraq. Of course this wouldn't happen, because America says so.

[@roberthicks2191]

NATO didn’t invade Iraq. Some of its members did.

[@dazjackson1972]

@@WilliamStewart-tk9dj Lol 😂 what are you babbling or at least quibbling about? The invasion of Iraq was carried out by several NATO members (plus Australia) and was then backed up by the "NATO Training Mission."

[@Talinthis]

@@dazjackson1972 So since Russia is attacking Ukraine, i guess Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan are all fully responsible for the invasion according to you?

[@dazjackson1972]

@@Talinthis now you're just being silly. My wider point is that whilst it's easy (for people in Europe) to see Russia as the bad guy, out in the rest of the world, the invasion of Iraq is seen in a similar light. USA, UK, Australia, Poland et al illegally invaded another country and there will be animosity for a very long time.

[@dazjackson1972]

@@WilliamStewart-tk9dj Perhaps I shouldn't have lazily used the term "NATO countries" and instead specified each participating nation (which probably account for 80% of NATO's budget), but this doesn't change the salient point. If it is justified to ban Russia, then it was also justified that the invaders of Iraq should be sanctioned. This would never happen, because the US (ironically) would invade anyone who banned them from the Olympics.

[@kevinfidler6287]

They aren't Putin's athletes. They are Russian Federation athletes, and they trained hard and made sacrifices just like any other athlete so they can compete for the pride of their home nation, not their political leader.

[@stephenhill545]

It's a simple way of letting ordinary Russians know that the majority of the world disapproves of their imperial ambitions, it cuts through the propaganda pretty effectively.

[@anthonyhulse1248]

And their success bolsters a kleptocratic terrorist state. Which is why Ruzzian “athletes” use drugs and doping to win.

[@dp4008]

All countries should be allowed if they want to participate in the Olympics with their Olympic Athlete.

[@Infopirates]

We don't need those Satanic olimpic games 😅😅😅😅

[@PaulProchko]

I can't believe this is even a question. If you want to ask, then ask why should Russia be allowed to participate at all given their attacks on other countries. Of course the answer is, they should not.

[@jemma_19988]

Usa and Britain invade and occupy iraq and afghanistan for decades and are allowed in Olympics? Israel invades gaza and is allowed also?

[@brightonbabe2139]

No don’t

[@allrpg10]

Yeah, go ahead, do whatever you want. China announced today that BRICS is creating an analogue of Swift. BRICS games have already been created. Who did you make worse? 😂

[@TheAlchaemist]

Of course they should be banned... last time the ROC simply laughed at us all... aside from the fact that you can feed a pharmacy for months with one single blood sample from their athletes...

[@Sonnypaul1]

Yes, and Coe, too.

[@HB-iq6bl]

No

[@garygibson4845]

I think the message would speak volumes to the rest of the world! I wouldn’t be against banning them. ✅❤️‍🩹

[@boota1979]

@garygibson4845 I would guess you're an American...

[@garygibson4845]

@@boota1979 And my guess you’re British. Yes I’m USA. I wanted to see all 5 of your videos in you playlist about British history but only allows for 2.

[@boota1979]

@@garygibson4845 Strangely enough my very simple question to you has vanished! Why would 'I would guess you're an American'.., be taken down? Why on earth would YT have a problem with that? I'm English, I don't understand your comment, what is it you're saying?

[@garygibson4845]

@@boota1979 I didn’t notice anything being taken down in my feed. I honestly don’t have an answer for that. I’m still seeing our conversation. Take care and I’ll tip my beer to you. ✌️🍻🍺

[@2010hyundaielantra]

@@garygibson4845 "I am USA"