Opinion: Putin made Russian athletes his political tools. Banning them is the right thing to do

In his address to members of the International Olympic Committee before the Beijing Winter Games, IOC President Thomas Bach asserted that the mission of the Olympics was to bring the world together in peaceful competition. “We can only accomplish this mission,” Bach stated, “if the Olympic Games stand above and beyond all political differences.”

In his address to members of the International Olympic Committee before the Beijing Winter Games, IOC President Thomas Bach asserted that the mission of the Olympics was to bring the world together in peaceful competition. “We can only accomplish this mission,” Bach stated, “if the Olympic Games stand above and beyond all political differences.”