Russia isn’t officially at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, but why? Are they protesting?
Russia is one of the biggest countries in the world and typically a force in Olympic games, particularly the Winter Olympics. In 2018 at the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, there won’t be an official Russian delegation.
But why? Is Russia boycotting the Winter Olympics?
In short, no. Russia’s absence from the 2018 Winter Olympics is a result of allegtions that Russia organized a state-run doping program and supplied athletes with performance-enhancing drugs.
In December 2017, the IOC decided to suspend Russia from the 2018 Winter Olympics.
"The IOC Exectuive Board today studied and discussed the findings of the commission led by the former Presidnt of Switzerland, Samuel Schmid, adressing the systematic manipulation of the anti-doping system in Russia. This report also addresses in particular the manipulation at the anti-doping labratory at the Olympic Winter Games Sochi 2014 which targeted the Olympic Games directly. Over 17 months of extensive work, the Schmid Commission gathered evidence and information and held hearings with all the main actors. Due Process, to whcih every individual and every organization is entited, was followed. This opportunity was not available to the IOC prior to the Olympic Games Rio 2016."
Russian ahtletes are still competing in the Olympics, but under a neutral flag. The Russian athletes who are competing do so under the name “Olympic Athlete from Russia (OAR)”. A panel, including members of the Pre-Games Testing Task Force, decided which Russian athletes to invite to compete. Athletes must be considered “clean to the satisfaction” of the panel, which means no Anti-Doping Rule Violations.
These athletes, if they medal, won’t hear the Russian anthem being played, instead the Olympic Flag will be raised as the Olympic anthem will be raised.
At the end of the 2018 Winter Olympics, the IOC will decide whether to partially or fully lift the suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee.
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