1. A few years ago, the IOC tried to replace Wrestling with Golf. Not kidding. It was Putin, a Judo-fighter, who basically strongarmed the IOC into keeping Wrestling as a discipline.

2. Consciously or subconsciously, Putin is trying to restore Russia to its influence and glory of the old soviet days. And for the Soviets, winning in sports was an essential component of propaganda. It's deeply ingrained into Russia's national identity. "A victory for Russia is a victory for Communism." Old habits die hard.

Golf is an elitist sport for old, white rich men. It will fail as an Olympic sport. All the top players don't want shit to do with it.

Joking. Mostly.

I love Olympic sports that can be played with a beer in one hand.

Even though they got the world spotlight, the investment, and the medal count victory, hockey is a matter of national pride and the old CCCP "Red Army" was not only a juggernaut, they had a lasting influence on how other countries thought about training, tactics and player development...

And I'm not surprised about the wrestling, since a lot of people were up in arms over that (after all, it is one of the *original* events from the Greek games) and golf truly is a joke... I'd rather see baseball come back.

Maybe banning the Russian Olympic team from the 2016 games isn't enough -- it was STATE SPONSORED DOPING.

I am in favor of banning Russia from the 2020 Olympic Games as well. Let them all take the 8 years to get clean for the 2024 Olympics.

will the IOC stand up to Russia?

I really doubt it.