THE Russian note of thanks to the International Olympic Committee can hardly mask the asphyxiating bind international sports finds itself in where the rampant use of drugs by athletes is concerned.

Indeed, Russia’s athletes could well have been barred from the Rio Olympics next month after it was found that a large number of samples belonging to individual players from the country and meant for lab examination had been tampered with.

Instead of a imposing a blanket ban, the IOC has said that the 28 sports federations associated with the Summer Olympics would decide who will compete in Rio.

This is revealing of the very weak nature of scrutiny needed to prevent the use of drugs for performance enhancement. There have been a series of instances that have worried the IOC and the anti-drugs WADA.

There is today undeniable evidence that much of the research at sports’ top level is dictated by a desire to find enhancement substances less likely to be found out in a lab.

There are so many who have been stripped of their medals after it was ascertained that their flight to glory had been aided by illegal drugs.

If this has failed to act as a deterrent it could lead to one conclusion: the competing athletes know that others are using similarly unfair means to improve their showing without ever getting caught.

This is the worst scenario the world of sport can be faced with. This is a direct outcome of the general tendency of the times which call for the fiercest competition in all areas of human endeavour.

The sports grounds that are famous for offering their cut-throat fare now were once teaching participants the value of fair play. Those who cheated were always around but genuine endurance and honour always helped the best participant stand out.

Maybe that appears too idealistic today, but the OIC does have its task cut out for it: it must attempt to save the Rio Olympics from the grievous scandal threatening it.

Published in Dawn, July 26th, 2016