The Boston Athletic Association has banned all Russian and Belorussian citizens from running in this year’s Boston Marathon, in response to Russia’s on-going invasion of Ukraine. Here are my thoughts:
Whom do we expect to change the behavior of the Russian government? Those who say, “Our fight is with Putin, not the Russian people,” do not want to live in a world where one country can invade another to change its government. If that’s the case, shouldn’t we use every lever possible short of direct armed conflict to influence the end of the atrocity currently being visited upon the Ukrainians? Our economic and diplomatic sanctions are already harming all Russians, not just those who support Putin. I see no difference between that, and banning Russians from participation in activities outside of their own country. The United States of America was founded on the principle that people have the right and duty to rise up against autocrats, that they are ultimately responsible for the character and actions of those who “lead” them. I believe that banning Russians from events such as the Boston Marathon is one way to remind them of this duty and encourage them to go home and change their government. Especially since we won’t do it for them. For the record, I’m a three-time Boston Marathon finisher.