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Russia Banned From Flying Flag At Olympic Closing Ceremony

Russian athletes won't be allowed to march under their country’s flag at the Winter Olympics closin...
TodayFM
TodayFM

7:49 AM - 25 Feb 2018



Russia Banned From Flying Flag...

News

Russia Banned From Flying Flag At Olympic Closing Ceremony

TodayFM
TodayFM

7:49 AM - 25 Feb 2018



Russian athletes won't be allowed to march under their country’s flag at the Winter Olympics closing ceremony later.

The International Olympic Committee has upheld its ban on the country, following two failed drugs tests in Pyeongchang.

Russia was banned due to a doping scandal at the 2014 Sochi games.

It means the 168 athletes competing as "Olympic Athletes from Russia" (OAR) will not be able to march under their country's flag at today's closing ceremony.

IOC President Thomas Bach said a condition of Russia's ban being lifted is that no further positive drug tests come out of Pyeongchang.

Two of the four athletes who tested positive in Pyeongchang were Russian, including a curler who had to return his bronze medal.

"The IOC executive board decided first not to lift the suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee for the closing ceremony," Mr Bach said.

"Therefore, no delegation of the Russian Olympic Committee will have taken part in these Olympic Winter Games."

Russia was banned in December from taking part in Pyeongchang following revelations of widespread doping at the 2014 Sochi Games.

But 168 athletes deemed doping-free were allowed to compete as neutrals at this year's Games.

While Russian athletes will appear in neutral uniforms today, they will likely soon compete under the national banner if no further doping charges are found.



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