It seems like the never ending, embarrassing saga involving Russian sports organizations, leaders and their athletes will continue for quite a while thanks to the World Cup of Football. We all know that the IOC (International Olympic Committee) has banned Russia, their Olympic Committee and all their athletes (except those who can prove they're clean) from participating in the upcoming 2018 Winter Games being held in Pyeonchang, South Korea because they got caught cheating in a doping scandal. You may also know that Russia, after much controversy involving kickbacks and bribery charges, won the right to host that huge World Cup event in Moscow in six months.
What you may NOT know is that the man who oversaw and ran the systematic state sponsored doping scandal at the Sochi Winter Games, Vitaly Murko, also happens to be the chairman of the Russia 2018 World Cup organization, Putin's vice-president and right hand puppet. Furthermore, and most importantly, he's been banned from the Olympics forever!
Now that leaves FIFA (Federation Internationale de Football Association), the body that runs world football, in a bit of a pickle. What do they do about Murko? If they can him, they fear host Russia will dump the World Cup causing them worldwide embarrassment. But if they don't, they look like fools for keeping a convicted cheater and liar in a prominent position on the world stage. Definitely a no-win situation.
I might add that there are now allegations of steroid abuse against 23 members of the Russian football team but time is running out to test these players and there is no doubt that FIFA and their ethics committee desperately WANTS this time to run out, so they can get the World Cup over with. They are currently not actively pursuing this matter, in fact the chairman of their ethics committee was just fired while he was investigating that team and Murko. Hmmm? Was he silenced, what do you think? Many football people want FIFA to strip Russia of the $11 billion World Cup event but this is not going to happen, so once again Putin, as usual, gets his way. Sound familiar?
One more last thought - was it just by coincidence that the IOC banned Russia from the upcoming 2018 Winter Olympic Games only AFTER the IOC got paid their share from the Sochi (Russia) Games? Of course it was!
IIHF Championships
It will soon be time for one of the most exciting times of the sporting year. The IIHF (International Ice Hockey Federation) World Junior championships and Team Canada are once again gold medal favourites. Over the years the WJHC have become an annual ritual for many Canadians during the Christmas holidays as it always provides top notch non-stop action from many of the players who will soon take their place in the NHL. The Brandon Wheat Kings best d-man Kale Clague returns to the team and will be counted on for not only strong defence and some clutch offence but some much needed leadership as well. The Canucks 1st game is Boxing Day versus the Czechs.
Trivia time, where are the WJHCs being played this year?
Oil Caps Year End
The Oil Capitals will finish off the 2017 part of their season with two home games, one on Thursday against the Steinbach Pistons and then Friday night when the Winnipeg Blues pay them a visit at TOGP. Then Santa comes a calling and gives them all nice presents for being good little boys with their 21-10-1 record, good enough for fourth place in the MJ, and in return they all promise Saint Nick they'll try their very best in 2018.
Sports wish list
As we say a fond goodbye to 2017, many local peoples' wish list for Santa might include: a) for the Oil Caps and Coach Troy Leslie, we wish a long playoff run come March, b) for Nathan Holovach, Mark Keown and the VCI Bears hockey team, continued success right into the playoffs and provincials, c) for the Virden Wellview Golf Club, a quick rebuild of their clubhouse, d) for the Oil Kings, more wins in the NCHL from a much younger, enthusiastic team, e) for Des Koop and the Oilers, success on the diamond as they pursue another SWBL title and hoping that star pitcher Curtis Plett plays for them this summer, f) for Doug Roach and the girls fastball team, a rebound year that includes a trip to the provincials, g) for Mark Wakely and his football team, a healthy starting QB with a gun for an arm, and h) for John Chandler and his varsity girls volleyball team, exchanging bronze for gold at next year's provincials.
To all the sports fans throughout Westman, may you all have a very Merry Christmas and all the best in 2018, Happy New Year.
Trivia answer, Buffalo, NY. Until next time....
