Russia should be banned from Rio Games, says Hayley Wickenheiser

An explosive report penned by a Canadian law professor revealed evidence of a state-sponsored doping program in Russia.

Hayley Wickenheiser, who competed for Canada at the 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010 and 2014 Games — winning four gold and one silver medals, says that should result in their entire team being removed from the upcoming Olympic Games in Rio

Also a member of the Canadian Olympic Committee's (COC) Athletes' Commission, she told anchor Rob Brown of CBC Calgary News at 6 the fact the scandal reaches the highest levels in Russia means the country shouldn't get to compete this summer in Brazil.

• New Russian doping report confirms evidence of state-sponsored cheating
• Canadian Olympians sound off on latest Russian doping report

Rob: You've been through this. You remember going through it in Sochi and were saying it seemed sketchy then, being tested.

Hayley: I remember after the semi-final game in Sochi, I was drug tested and I entered the room and I didn't feel comfortable with the way they were handling my sample and doing the paperwork. Our doctor had slipped out of the room so I actually got up and opened the door and said, "I'm going to wait for my doctor to come back to proceed." As a Russian athlete, they knew they were protected, I think, so they didn't have those concerns, probably. This is certainly a massive story affecting athletes from around the world and very shocking because it's a state-sponsored thing.

Rob: You've read the report. What is your takeaway from this, no question in your mind it was state sponsored?

Hayley: No question at all. This came down right from the top from the ministry of sport, possibly even higher. In my opinion, I think many of the athletes didn't know or didn't want to know. It was take your vitamins, or you participate or you don't go to the Games, especially those with potential and medal capabilities. We know doping in sport exists — it's probably always going to be there — but to this level I don't think the world of sport has ever seen.

Rob: The track and field team for Russia is not going to be competing in Rio already, that decision has been made as a result of another drug investigation. What do you think should happen now?

Hayley: I'm in favour of a complete ban. 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.

Rob: You think that strong of a message would make a difference going forward for other Games?

Hayley: It's the only way to change the culture. If you read the report there's over 30 sports that are implicated with athletes who have tested positive. Possibly if an athlete was outside the country of Russia for a period of maybe five or more years, and had been tested at an accredited lab many, many times, then maybe you look at that but I just don't think many of those athletes exist right now in Russia.

Rob: What should the fans of the Olympic Games be thinking as they're watching the competition in Rio? Isn't every sport and every competition potentially tainted in their minds?

Hayley: Right now many people have lost faith in the Olympic Games, which is why I think it is so important for the IOC to step up and show this solid, reinforced punishment or measures to really say, "Our system is broken, the doping culture exists and we need to create an anti-doping culture going forward that works to really make sure the Games are clean from now forward." We're always going to see athletes doping, it's almost impossible to completely stop but at the state-sponsored level, that's a whole another level.