IOC votes to uphold Russia Olympics ban, athletes won’t march under flag

PYEONGCHANG, South Korea — The International Olympic Committee on Sunday decided not to lift its ban of Russia's Olympic team over doping allegations, meaning that the country will not be able to march in the closing ceremony under its own flag.

The vote came Sunday local time, hours before the closing ceremony, The Associated Press reported. The decision by the IOC comes after two cases of alleged doping involving Russian athletes at the PyeongChang Games.

The nearly 170 Russian athletes won't get to parade in the white, blue and red of the Russian flag and be introduced as Team Russia. The athletes have been participating under the name Olympic Athletes from Russia.

The Russian athletes were punished by the IOC before these games in response to Russia's alleged state-sponsored doping program that marred the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.


Source : nbcnews