“Technically, Russia is banned from competing in the Olympics. But like the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Russian athletes are still participating at the 2022 Winter Olympics…That’s because they are competing under the banner of the Russian Olympic Committee, or ROC for short”(He). 

 In response to their previous abuse of performance-enhancing drugs, the International Olympic Committee created the ROC to allow neutral Russian athletes to continue competing in the Olympics. However, recent scandals and events are raising the question of, what authority does the ROC have against doping that Russia and the IOC didn’t? The answer to this question is simple: they don't. 

 Kamila Valieva, an advanced Olympic figure skater, and her coach, Eteri Tutberidze, were recently involved in a scandal during the 2022 winter Olympics. The teen received a positive doping test after her performance, testing positive for use of Trimetazidine, a chest pain reliever. If people hadn’t been questioning the credibility and authority of the ROC before, they probably are now, arguing that: the ROC is too timid of a roadblock to the Russian’s systematic doping. 

 The Russian Olympic Committee is an unfair punishment for the Reocurring doping done by athletes at the Olympics. Since the doping scandal in 2019 and the ROC was created, neutral Russian athletes have been allowed to compete under a red white, and blue flag containing the Olympic rings. However, in lieu of recent events, its become apparent that not even the ROC has the power to control the Russian athletes and coaches. Some believe that the ROC is sufficient in enforcing rules however, many more would argue that  Russia should be banned from competing and winning medals at all future Olympics under the ROC and their own name. 

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