US Legend Carl Lewis Calls for Harsh Punishment Against Russian Federation: ‘Kick Them Out’

Published 02/24/2022, 9:00 AM EST

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Former track and field athlete, Carl Lewis needs no introduction. With nine Olympic gold medals to his name, Lewis is one of the most decorated American athletes of all time.

Notably, Lewis’ last Olympics was in 1996. Now, Lewis is an assistant coach at the track and field program at the University of Houston. In fact, it was his own alma mater.

Lately, with tensions rising when it comes to the Russian Federation, Carl Lewis has spoken out against them.

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Carl Lewis advocates tough punishments for the Russian Federation

Nine-time Olympic gold medalist, Carl Lewis, took to Twitter today to express his anger over the Russian Federation. The country has lately been involved in a string of controversies, including fifteen-year-old figure skater, Katerina Valieva.

Valieva had tested positive in a drug screening, last December. However, the International Olympic Committee allowed her to go ahead and compete in the Games. Consequently, athletes all over the world expressed their dissatisfaction with the decision.

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Frustrated like many, Lewis took to Twitter to quote another Tweet by bestselling author Rick Wilson.

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Russian Olympian Refuses to Wear Medal in a Shocking Act at Beijing Winter Olympics 2022

“Kick them out of all sports organizations, starting with the IOC,” Lewis tweeted. Clearly, the former athlete holds no love for the Russian Federation, or their Olympic team, the Russian Olympic Committee.

Athletes across the world unhappy with Kamila Valieva’s participation in Winter Olympics

Fifteen-year-old Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva‘s participation in the Winter Olympics made many across the world upset. Valieva had tested positive for banned substances in her pre-Olympic drug screening.

via Reuters

Nevertheless, Valieva competed at the Beijing Winter Olympics 2022 despite failing her drug screening. In fact, the International Olympic Committee had stated that in the event of Valieva winning a medal, they would forego any medal ceremony for the particular event.

So much so that it would have meant that all athletes who would have medalled in the event would not receive their own medals. Olympian Sha’Carri Richardson, too, took offense to this, stating how the rules were unfair as she faced a ban from the Tokyo Olympics on similar grounds.

She was miffed about Valieva getting the green light to compete at the Olympics. Now, all said and done, it will take months for the case to be settled and dissolved.

WATCH THIS STORY: Nathan Chen Gets Gold: U.S. Figure Skater Dazzles to Win at 2022 Winter Olympics

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Written by:

Samarveer Singh

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Samarveer Singh is a tennis writer at EssentiallySports. Holding a degree in English Literature and a diploma in Fitness Sciences and Training, Samarveer is obsessed with tennis and basketball. He is also an automotive writer at HotCars.
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