Cedars, March 2018

March 2018 11 ANALYSIS not played, and the medals won did not go to- ward Russia’s official medal count. Duerr praised the IOC for their com- promise in punishing the country while pre- serving the individual athletes. “I think the IOC did a good job of threading a pretty fine needle, to allow athletes that are clean to participate, to do well, because Russia brings a lot on the world stage,” Duerr said. “There’s some tremendous athletes to come from Russia, so I’m glad they’re at the Olympics, but I’m also glad there’s this balance of castigating the country and a systematic program of doping. Certainly when [Russians] see the Olympic flag in its place, it’s a stain on the international arena, especially coming af- ter a successful Sochi 2014 Winter Olym- pics.” However, as Russia looks forward to hosting the World Cup this summer as well as the Euro Cup in 2020, Clauson expressed doubts about whether the IOC’s actions were a sufficient deterrent to the continued use of performance-enhancing drugs. “These are the kinds of people who are driven in life to succeed in their sport. And so nothing is going to deter them unless they have some kind of ethical conscience,” Clauson said. “The Russians themselves still consider themselves to be Russian, and competing for Russia. And so back home I’m sure the PR is, ‘Hey, our Russian ath- letes, look what they did today. They’re our Russian athletes.’” According to Duerr, the Olympics have irreversibly tied politics to sport, for better or for worse. “Political elements have always played a factor in the Olympic Games. It’s a dou- ble-edged sword,” Duerr said. “You bring countries to the table, they compete and thrive, but they’re competing against one another. But at the same time, they’re at a table and not fighting, and any time the world is in that stage it’s useful.” Breanna Beers is a freshman Molecular Biology and Journalism double major and an off-campus news writer for Cedars. She loves exercising curiosity, hiking new trails, and quoting The Princess Bride whether it’s relevant or not. Dr. David Van Dyke Chair, ILMFT Licensure & Disciplinary Board Commissioner, COAMFTE therapist professor wheaton.edu/MFT Dr. Van Dyke sees human suffering and healing through the lens of relationships. Our faculty develop the whole person to foster new possibilities for personal, professional, and relational growth. Train with visionaries in the field to pursue one of the fastest growing careers through the M.A. In Marriage & Family Therapy. The Marriage and Family Therapy program at Wheaton College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE), 112 South Alfred Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314, 703.838.9808, coa@aamft.org visionary