What is ROC? Why Russia Can’t Compete At the Tokyo Olympics?

Winning medals in the Olympics is a proud moment for both athletes and nations. And it’s the dream of 11,000 athletes representing their respective countries in the Tokyo Olympics 2021. Unfortunately, it’s a cursed fate for Russian athletes due to their past. They are banned from the Olympics and those competing fall under ROC. What is ROC and why Russia is banned?

Get all the answers here.

What Is ROC?

Russian Olympic Committee is the only gateway for athletes of the country to participate in one of the biggest and prestigious global events. It is a sports committee founded by the sports societies in 1911.

All the participants from the country will represent ROC. Moreover, they cannot have their nation’s name, neither the national anthem nor flag of the country will be raised upon their victory.

This definitely breaks one’s heart as that’s the only dream in eyes of every athlete in the Olympics. What’s more surprising and heartbreaking for them is that they are not allowed to wear outfits etched with ‘Russia.’

Also Read: Mirabai Chanu Received The Best Gift From Dominos

‘Neutral Athlete’ must be mentioned on their Olympic outfits with the country’s name. This indicates that an athlete is representing ROC and not Russia.

That’s why Russia is officially not in the Tokyo Olympics 2021.

Why Was Russia Banned From The Olympics?

What’s the reason? You must be wondering the answer. Well, the answer lies in the 2019 anti-doping tests. The country was alleged of deleting files that may have served as crucial evidence for the tests of over 1,000 athletes.

The World Anti-Doping Agency ( WADA ) put allegations over the officials for tampering with the data, presenting fake records, and trying to cover up the results.

Witold Banka, The President of WADA, said the same in a statement during the case hearing in a court of Arbitration in 2020. However, the country defended itself saying it was a technical issue and they didn’t try to cover up the results of the state-sponsored doping program.

Also Read: Fans Are Ready To Pay Fine Imposed On Norway’s Beach Handball Team, Here’s Why?

Doping Punishment For Russia 

Unfortunately, the country could not prove its point and faced a ban by WADA for 4 years. It came into effect from 2020 which would keep Russian athletes away from Tokyo Olympics. The ban is also applicable for the upcoming Winter Olympics and Football World Cup.

The ban would continue till December 2022, till then athletes will participate under the ROC. Despite the ban, Russia is winning medals in Olympics. The country recently won gold in gymnastics.