After the discovery of a systemic doping scheme carried out during the previous Olympic Winter Games in 2014, the Russian winter Olympic team has been banned from this year’s competition. Some worry this may reduce viewership, but assistant professor of economics Victor Matheson has a different perspective on the implications of Russia’s ban.
“[It’s] hard to know, but my opinion is that this won’t hurt ratings in any way,” says Matheson, using the 1984 Winter Olympics as evidence. A boycott led by the USSR kept at least 14 countries out of the games, and yet ratings remained strong. However, Matheson also urges the International Olympic Committee to remain firm on its policies and ensure that “this new approach to fighting this global issue of doping is just not symbolic.”
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