In a statement, the IOC appears to finally put an end to 23 years of loyal co-operation with the dictator of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko. However, with its provisional measures the IOC is keeping the door open for Lukashenko and his allies to return to the Olympic fold.

The battle against state-supported doping is over, and whoever fought it, lost. Play the Game’s international director takes a walk through the parallel reality of the Olympic Movement.

Sport is characterised by contradictions, conflicts and hypocrisies that simultaneously speak to growing awareness, positive action and hope in terms of environmental awareness and sustainability, say researchers Brett Hutchins and Libby Lester in this comment piece that discusses how sport can take on a role in protecting and creating a world worth playing in.

After much hesitation, the IOC has taken a clear stance against the overwhelming evidence of systemic doping in Russia. Russia has greater projects in the making than the Winter Olympics, and the ball is rolling towards an uncomfortable FIFA.

The IOC is struggling with the decision on Russia. With all the information we have now, they have just one option: suspension of Russia.

Qatar and Russia. Corruption and doping. That is what everybody is talking about at Play the Game 2017 in Eindhoven. The latest developments in both doping and corruption investigations link the two countries closer and closer together. Are we seeing the contours of a collusion between Qatar and Russia in sports?

"Many people had a lot to gain from the Games. The people of Rio, unfortunately, were not among them," says Juliana Barbassa in this comment piece arguing that the Rio 2016 Games accomplished precisely what their organizers intended.

Journalist Osasu Obayiuwana, a member of the now dissolved FIFA Task Force Against Racism and Discrimination, shares his personal experiences and disappointment with FIFA’s half-hearted attempt to address racial and discriminatory issues in football. “The time for silence has ended,” he says and calls the disbandment of the Task Force a “grave mistake”.