Russian Withdrawal:Russia Feeling 'Unappreciated,' Threatens to Withdraw Athletes From Winter Games

http://www.abcnews.go.com ^ | S A L T L A K E C I T Y, Feb. 21 | The Associated Press

[SamAdams76]

The Russians are starting to act like Major League baseball players.

[medved]

Too much hemoglobin??????? What kind of BS is that?

[Dominic Harr]

Early Withdrawl?

How embarrassing.

[Tailback]

This reminds me of the Clinton/McCauliffe tactic of "Accuse your opponent of doing what you do" In other words, the Russians are pissed off that they can't cheat and get away with it anymore. Blood doping and drug tests have caught up with the Russian methods which means they have to compete on a level playing field. They don't like it so they accuse us of cheating. Classic.

[codebreaker]

Ping

[clamper1797]

Listen ... the Olympic judges are the best that anyone could buy .....

[freebilly]

Hey, can I open the door for you? Need a cab or can you drive yourself to the airport?

[Blood of Tyrants]

See ya! Don't let the door hit you on the butt on the way out!

[Tailback]

It's called blood doping. It's when the number of red blood cells is artificially increased to allow for increases in the amount of oxygen transported to the muscles. Very useful for a long distance runner or perhaps a cross country skier, no?

[Mo1]

Russia may leave the Winter Olympics because of decisions against its athletes

BYE

[Askel5]

You have to admit this is pretty funny stuff.

Particularly if they're readying to take us hunting radicals in Georgia while they whine plaintively in Salt Lake for everyone's benefit.

[HockeyPop]

Its a psychological ploy to disrupt the US hockey team's focus while lighting a fire under the Russian team. They ain't goin' nowhere. But if they stay and play, get ready to watch one of the greatest hockey games ever.

[JZoback]

See you later..................just leave the good Volka

[LenS]

I believe that too much hemoglobin is a sign of blood tampering. I recall that cyclists supposedly would put aside blood samples ahead of an event. Then they would reinject additional red (or was it white?) blood cells from those samples to increase their endurance. It supposedly was also done by distance runners. Cross-country skiers would also be likely candidates. Darn, I know that I'm messing up the details.

[MadRobotArtist]

That's it, I'm taking my skates and equipment and going home... What a bunch of pansies... This is exactly why the Russians weren't able to take Afghanistan.

[Cicero]

Extra red cells means more oxygen carried in the blood. This can be done by blood doping or, worse, by getting the athlete pregnant and then aborting the baby.

[Bobby777]

as the Sanford-Townsend band said in the 1970's ... Don't let the screen door hit you, on your way OUT!!!

[nagdt]

"Without Russia, the Olympic Games will be lost"

I'm all for ski jumpers and figure skating, but if the Olympic Games were lost, who would be the biggest loser?