Russian national team removed from Olympics-2018 due to doping in Sochi

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has removed the Russian national team from participating in the 2018 Olympic Games in the South-Korean city of Pyeongchang. To return to the IOC at least after the closing ceremony of the Games, the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) must reimburse the costs of the anti-doping investigation.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on November 24, the International Olympic Committee deprived four Russian athletes of their medals won at the 2014 Winter Olympics Games in Sochi, stating that they had violated the anti-doping rules. After cancellation of their results, the Russian team lost the first place in the medal standing of the Games.

The decision to suspend the ROC's membership in the IOC and to remove the Russian team from the Olympics was taken today and entered into force immediately.

The ROC must reimburse the 15 million US dollars spent by the IOC to investigate doping violations. Besides, the ROC should contribute to the establishment of its Independent Doping Testing Organization. A full or partial restoration of the ROC's membership in the IOC is possible only if these conditions are met and only after the closing ceremony of the Olympic Games in Pyeongchang, the TASS reports with reference to the IOC's press service.

Those Russian athletes, who will be allowed to participate in the forthcoming Olympic Games, will perform under a neutral flag with Olympic rings. It is suggested to make the inscription "Olympic Athlete from Russia" on their uniform, the "Meduza" quotes the IOC's decision.

Russian athletes will make their decision on participation in the Olympic Games-2018 at the Olympic Assembly on December 12, Mikhail Degtyaryov, the head of the State Duma Committee for Physical Training and Sports, has stated, the "Interfax" reports.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.