In school if the teacher ever told me off I'd be really annoyed, even if I knew deep down that they were right. Vladimir Putin may have helped fund doping for Russian athletes but that won't stop him being pissed off that they're banned from the Olympics.
The IAAF showed some real balls when they banned Russian from the athletics programme at the Rio Olympics next month, unfortunately the IOC couldn't follow suit and announce a blanket ban after the McLaren report showed state funded cheating when it comes to doping tests.
There might be no overall ban but along with athletics some sports have decided against Russian athletes from competing in Rio and despite being his own bloody fault, at least partially, Putin is not happy and is claiming it's all part of a conspiracy or some nonsense:
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"The deliberate campaign targeting our athletes was characterised by so-called double standards and opted for the idea of collective responsibility, which is not compatible with sport, justice in general, or the basic norms of law."
The Russian President who likes to wrestle bears in his spare time, that might not be completely true, then got all salty about how gold medals wouldn't mean as much at this year's games because of a lack of Russians. Put the claws away Vlad:
"The other sportsmen understand that the quality of their medals will be different."
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Somehow we aren't too sure that other athletes will agree with that statement. On the plus side if you finish fourth with a Russian on the podium you won't be giving up hope of a medal even if it takes eight years getting to you.
(Via Reuters)
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