The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has reportedly lifted the ban on Russia that kept its team from wearing its colors, carrying the Russian flag and singing its anthem at the 2018 Winter Games.
The IOC barred the entire Russian Olympic team from the Games that concluded in South Korea on Sunday after investigations into state-sponsored doping. Only clean athletes were cleared to compete under a neutral flag, although two Russian athletes tested positive for banned substances during the games.
IOC member Shamil Tarpischev told the RBC business portal Wednesday that the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) has been reinstated, just days after the 2018 closing ceremony.
“Procedurally, Russia doesn’t have to do anything, the restoration of ROC membership occurred automatically, the IOC has no complaints,” Tarpischev was cited as saying.
ROC President Alexander Zhukov later confirmed the news, reading the IOC’s letter to the Russian delegation at a brief press conference.
“In other words, the Russian Olympic Committee has been fully reinstated in its rights as a member of the Olympic family,” Zhukov said in televised comments.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
