The problem of Russia - what's an IOC to do?

I don't have a whole lot of time or patience for the International Olympic Committee (IOC), but I have to admit that it finds itself stuck between a rock and a very hard place as regards the loud demands to ban Russia and its side-kick Belarus from the next Olympic Games.

Led, of course, by Ukraine and neighbouring countries, but vocally supported by at least 30 countries including the USA, Britain and France, many are calling for a full ban on Russia from all international sports competitions, including the Paris Olympic Games, as a punishment for its invasion of Ukraine. The IOC is stoically sticking to its tired position that to do so would violate its own Charter, and that "sport is above politics". 

The IOC says it's stance is "non-negotiable", but it risks a full boycott of the next Olympics if it were to stick with it. Financially, that would be disastrous, although the IOC is ridiculously profitable and has built up a staggering $5.6 billion in reserves. The moral slap-in-the-face might take some living down, though, and you have to feel sorry for the athletes who have been building up to their day in the sun for years (and who may personally be adamantly against Russia's invasion, or who may not), only to be suddenly not allowed to compete.

Having Russia and Belarus compete as "neutrals" is clearly not a good compromise, but it's about the only one the IOC has. Nobody thinks that calling Russia "ROC" or "OAR" is a satisfactory solution, but what's a self-respecting Olympic Committee to do? Yes, sport should be above politics but, in the real world, it's not. So, what to do?

It's one thing to ban Russia for their ongoing doping scandals; that's a sports matter and an Olympics rules matter. It's less justifiable to ban athletes because their president is a jerk, or because we don't agree with their politics. The athletes don't have to get on with each other (although that would be nice), but the Olympics is supposed to be open to everyone everywhere. It is supposed to show that, if only for a couple of weeks every two years, people from all walks of life can get together and compete without killing one another. Spare a thought for IOC president Thomas Bach who has to explain this over and over again, to politicians, journalists and even competitors.