Final answer:
A strong thesis statement for an essay on banning Russian athletes from the Olympics due to doping would address the impact of doping on sports integrity, athlete health, and fair competition. It would assert the necessity of the ban to maintain the 'spirit of sport' and the imperative of equal opportunity and ethics in athletics.
Step-by-step explanation:
A well-crafted thesis statement should succinctly present the main argument of your essay while also hinting at the supporting ideas that will be explored. Considering the topic of banning Russian athletes from the Olympics due to widespread doping, an efficient thesis statement may read as follows:
"Due to the extensive history of doping that compromises the integrity of sports, fairness in competition, and athletes' health, a ban on all Russian athletes from the Olympics is warranted; this action upholds the 'spirit of sport' and ensures equality of opportunity, while also sending a clear message against the use of performance-enhancing drugs."
This statement is comprehensive as it touches on the major reasons for the proposed ban—the health risks involved with performance-enhancing drugs, ensuring equality of opportunity among athletes, and maintaining the ethics of drug-free sports as part of the 'spirit of sport'. Each of these reasons would then be developed and substantiated with evidence and analysis in subsequent paragraphs of the essay.