It's 'funny' cos...
...I heard some people joking a couple of nights ago about how they would not want to be an athlete, coach, judge, drug tester etc in the Russian games as they 'may have difficulties' if they do not have Russian athletes guaranteed to win every event.
They were joking how the Russians would have ultrasonic weapons to take out opponent athletes. Vary the oxygen levels in the stadium when the Russians are in action, or when they are not. Bribe or threaten every judge or tester. Every trick in the book and plenty more. Anyway, I thought it was all daft joking and then IMMEDIATELY they start threatening the coaches and implicitly, the athletes! Amazing.
It is sad that national identity has come to this. People should not care that much about sport. 'It is just a game'. Sometimes good to watch, and sometimes nice to have your favourites win, but it really is not *important* at all. The world has bigger issues. Sport is ENTERTAINMENT. Just a distraction.
It is ironic to the point of paradox that the need for success in pointless little games will result in abuses of human rights of those involved! One has to laugh, but really this joke is not funny.
Canada did well and I am sure v few threats (relatively speaking) were used to achieve the result. It would be nice for everyone if Russia could attempt to achieve their own success in a genuinely laid back manner.
I must admit, I have tried to be moderate in this post as I am shit scared of reprisals just for mentioning overhearing other people joking and suggesting amateur sport at any level should not cost people too dearly. So I'll leave it right there! Lol. - That is a nervous (downright scared) Lol BTW.