Russia banned from 2018 Winter Olympics
Some Russian athletes may compete without national flag or anthem
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has banned Russia from competing at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, over Russia’s state-sponsored doping program at the 2014 Games in Sochi.
“This should draw a line under this damaging episode and serve as a catalyst for a more effective anti-doping system,” IOC president Thomas Bach (pictured) said.
The IOC has left the door open for Russian athletes to compete under the title of “Olympic Athlete from Russia (OAR)”, however without their national flag or anthem being played should they win a medal.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
They will also have to pass rigorous drug testing, and be able to demonstrate that they did not benefit from the doping program in Sochi.
“The decision has been widely condemned in Russia, with some politicians urging a boycott of the Games,” the BBC says.
“The IOC also banned Russian Deputy Prime Minister Vitaly Mutko for life from the Olympics for his role in the country’s doping program, and suspended Russia’s Olympic Committee (ROC) president Alexander Zhukov as an IOC member,” the ABC reports.
Zhukov has indicated that Russian athletes would appeal the ban in the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
The ROC was also handed an £11.2 million fine to cover the cost of the investigation and to assist in funding further anti-doping work.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
India elections start amid violence, hate speech accusations
Talking Points Narendra Modi seeks a third term while critics worry about the future of the country's democracy
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
'Biden is smart to keep the border-security pressure on'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Bird flu worries mount as virus found in milk, cows
Speed Read The FDA found traces of the virus in pasteurized grocery store milk
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The 'Enhanced Games': a dangerous dosage?
Talking Point A drug-fuelled Olympic-style competition is in the works but critics argue the risks are too high
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Winter Olympics: ‘disaster averted’ for Team GB as curling stars win medals
feature Team GB finished a disappointing games with just two medals
By Mike Starling Published
-
Kamila Valieva: tears, outrage and a distressing conclusion at the Winter Olympics
Why Everyone’s Talking About After the doping scandal, Russia’s 15-year-old skating prodigy crumbled in her final event
By Mike Starling Published
-
Winter Olympics: 3,000 snowflakes and a Uyghur skier
Why Everyone’s Talking About For both winners and losers alike, an air of unreality hangs over these games
By The Week Staff Published
-
Mason Greenwood: footballer arrested on suspicion of rape and assault
Speed Read Man Utd confirm the striker will not train or play until further notice
By The Week Staff Published
-
A guide to the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics
In Depth Everything you need to know about the winter games
By Mike Starling Last updated
-
A guide to the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics
In Depth Everything you need to know about the winter games
By Mike Starling Last updated
-
The Olympic boycott: a small gesture of condemnation
feature Will the diplomatic boycott of the Winter Olympics in China achieve anything?
By The Week Staff Published