With Russia’s athletes having a long history with doping, the International Olympic Committee has been banning them left and right. With more than 150 Russian athletes being caught using improvement enhancing drugs at the Olympics, over 46 Olympic Medals have been stripped from Russia’s name. 

However, in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, many more international athletic organizations have been quick to ban any Russian team entering their competitions. Belarus also hasn’t escaped punishment with many of the athletic organizations deciding to ban Belarus athletes as well. This is because Belarus allowed Russia to use their land to help with the invasion of Ukraine.

Currently, Russian and Belarusian athletes are banned from: The 2022 Paralympics, The Federation International Football Association (Soccer), The International Skating Union (Figure Skating), The International Ice Hockey Federation, The International Amaeur Athletic Federation (Track and Field), and The World Rugby Union. 

Still, in sports like tennis and rugby, Russian and Belarusian athletes are allowed to compete, just not allowed for their country. This means they cannot wear clothes with their countries colors or play their national anthem in the sports arena. 

This has sparked some controversy in La Jolla High and around the globe. On one side, Junior Diego Pardo-Tihanyi argues that, “Everyone still knows the athletes are Russian and Belarusian. If they win a competition, it would still be a win for their country.”