Darya Klishina - the Neutral Olympian

[Mr. E]

Russian long jumper, Darya Klishina, has been given approval to participate in the Rio Games in spite of the ban on Russian Track & Field athletes.

The I.A.A.F. turned down the appeals of 67 others, but approved the long jumper's request to participate under a Neutral flag.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/13/russian-athlete-competing-under-a-neutral-flag-at-the-olympics-branded-a-traitor

Social media response has been pretty extreme so far with some praising her, and many labeling her a traitor.

[Mr. E]

http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/2137724-sole-russian-track-athlete-banned-from-rio-quickly-appeals/

And in a bit of a surprise, the sole member of the Russian track & field team who was cleared to compete was unexpectedly banned on Saturday. Klishina has already appealed, pointing out that she has no ties to the Russian labs involved with that scandal.

I don't think that any rational person will argue at this time that the Russian program was not dirty as hell following the McLaren Report, but this particular instance does stink of some sort of retaliation. I'm hoping that she clears her name before Tuesday and is allowed to compete.

[Mr. E]

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/russian-long-jumper-darya-klishina-bows-olympics-012045131--oly.html

Well, she didn't qualify for the finals in her event. It really sounds like all of the pressure just finally wore her down, especially with that last-minute yanking of her eligibility.