A top Russian Olympic official said that Grigory Rodchenkov, the whistleblower who alleged the country ran a systematic doping program, "should be executed." Leonid Tyagachev, who was the head of the Russian Olympic Committee from '01-10 and remains its honorary president, said, "Rodchenkov should be shot for lying, like Stalin would have done." Tygachev's call for Rodchenkov to be shot "sounds extra chilling in light of the unexplained deaths of two of his colleagues" (London GUARDIAN, 11/17).
Russian Deputy PM Vitaly Mutko said that it would be "unacceptable and humiliating for Russia to take part in the Winter Olympics in South Korea without the national flag and anthem." The IOC is set to decide on Russia's participation in the Winter Games at its exec board meeting from Dec. 5-7. Russian athletes "may be only allowed to compete as neutrals at the Olympics due to doping allegations" (REUTERS, 11/17).
British Para-swimming staff complained about ex-coach Rob Greenwood's behavior in July '14, two-and-a-half years before he was investigated over "bullying and intimidation claims." British Swimming apologized last month after an independent investigation found he "created a climate of fear." Greenwood, who rejected the allegations, left his role before the inquiry began (BBC, 11/17).
