OAR is Russia. But Russia is being punished for cheating, so they can’t play as Russia.
Exactly stupid crap. Countries are represented.. How do they approve oar in Olympics?
As said in prior thread, I have a soft spot for Russian hockey and the historic Soviet hockey team led by led by Slava Fetisov even though they were before my time...
But I feel that there should be no “OAR” - that individuals (like figure skaters who did not participate in Sochi) should be allowed, but have competed under their own names — not the umbrella of this “OAR” nonsense.
Alas: Putin and the head of the IOC are good friends. So no outright ban was ever in the works to begin with.
I feel that an outright ban on athletes appearing as a team for a group-sport like hockey would have been warranted and fair though.
Not only does Russia have professional “KHL” players (which is fine) - but also a former NHL player who was sent back to Russia due to charges of domestic violence: choking/beating his wife. :(
One of the greatest hockey games ever was the Red Army team versus The Broad Street Bullies in 1976.