The International Olympic Committee came down with a decision to ban Russia from the 2018 Olympic Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea on Tuesday. The decision to forbid Russia from participating in February's event is a result of a nearly 18-month long investigation into a doping scandal stemming from the 2014 Olympics in Sochi, Russia.
Four-time Gold medalist and Saskatchewan native Hayley Wickenheiser released a statement following the IOC's harsh punishment.
My statement on #IOC decision on #Russia today: pic.twitter.com/o46Dw58Oda
— Hayley Wickenheiser (@wick_22) December 5, 2017
"In light of the decision by the IOC to allow Russian athletes to compete under a neutral flag, I feel compelled as a member of the IOCAC to make it clear to clean athletes of the world and fans of Olympic sport, that there are no winners in today’s decision," Wickenheiser said in the statement. "As a six time Olympian I take the sanctity of clean sport and Olympic ideals seriously. I believe in the power of the Olympic Games in its purest form. I commend the IOC and Schmidt commission for acknowledging a state system of doping, the Maclaren report, Dr. Rodchenkov, as a whistleblower and his lawyer Jim Walkden for representing the information in a truthful manner. I’d also like to acknowledge all of the hardworking people involved who managed under extremely tight timelines to send a message to the world through their work that there was indeed a state system of doping in place in Russia. This work has allowed for tough sanctions towards some athletes and that sends a message.
"It is crucial moving forward that if the responsibility now falls on the IF’s, as well as the independent body that has been implemented to review and discipline athletes on a case by case basis, that a transparent process must be implemented to allow athletes a chance to compete if they prove clean. It is not lost on many clean athletes that Russian athletes who were part of this system may have had no choice by to comply. With this understanding, it is also commendable and important to see harsher sanctions towards officials and entourage. These must be upheld. The evidence overwhelmingly shows the power and influence these people took to control athletes and their outcomes. In the end, the entire situation has failed to protect clean athletes. Now, we must look for solution. It is now all of our collective responsibility that it never happen again and ensure we are on the right side of history moving forward. Clean athletes and the world depend on it!"
MORE: What Russia's Olympic ban means for USA, Canada hockey in 2018 Games
Wickenheiser announced her retirement from hockey in January 2017, meaning she will miss her first Winter Olympics as a player since 1998. She led Canada to the podium five different times and has often been recognized as one of the most successful hockey players on the planet.
Wickenheiser is a member of the IOC Athletes' Commission, a role she was appointed to before the Sochi games. Similar to the purpose of a player's union in professional sports, Wickenheiser's role is to act as the link between the IOC and Olympic athletes.
The 39-year-old had always been supportive of a similar punishment that was handed out to Russia as a result of the investigation.
"I'm in favour of a complete ban," Wickenheiser told CBC in July 2016. "In hockey, when one athlete tests positive on a hockey team, the entire team loses its medal — as sad as it is for clean athletes. And I'm sure there are some in Russia, not many, but I just think a strong message has to be sent. This could be happening in other countries around the world we don't know of and right now it's the utmost of importance to show leadership, and for me this is the way to do it."