The International Olympic Committee officially banned Russian athletes from competing in the 2018 Winter Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea on Tuesday, citing months-long concerns over allegations of “doping” and the widespread practice of lying about their female competitors’ age.
The IOC has said that specific athletes who comply with rigorous drug testing and screening will be allowed to compete as an “Olympic Athlete from Russia (OAR)” but will not be permitted to use their national flag or anthem.
In response, Russian President Vladimir Putin is widely expected to boycott the 2018 Winter Games entirely, saying that it would be “humiliating” for Russia’s athletes to compete on the international stage without their national symbols.
The IOC also issued a lifetime ban for Russia’s Minister of Sport Vitaly Mutko and his Deputy Minister Yuri Nagornykh for violations that occured in 2014; neither of whom will be permitted to take part in all future Olympic games.
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