Russia banned from Winter Olympics but 'clean' athletes can compete

Russia banned from Winter Olympics but 'sterile' athletes can compete Russia has been banned from the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea over the country's "systemic manipulation" of anti-doping rules. However, Russian athletes that can show that they're clean will probably be "encouraged" to compete in Pyeongchang, the International Olympic Committee said on Tuesday. They will wear a uniform with that name on it, and the Olympic anthem will be performed at any decoration ceremonies for Russian athletes.

"This was an unprecedented attack on the ethics of the Olympic Games and sport," said IOC President Thomas Bach, Who's a buddy of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"The IOC has issued proportional sanctions for this systemic manipulation while shielding the clean athletes. This should draw a line under the damaging episode and serve as a catalyst for a more effective anti-doping system directed from the World Anti-Doping Agency.

"As an athlete myself, I feel very sorry for all of the clean athletes from all [National Olympic Committees] who are experiencing this manipulation. Working together with all the IOC Athletes' Commission, we'll now look for opportunities to compensate for the moments they have missed on the end line or on the podium."

Having always denied the allegations of a state-backed doping campaign, Russia could now decide to block the deal of exemptions and boycott the Pyeongchang Olympics altogether.

Putin has previously said it could be a humiliation to compete with no federal symbols. According to the Russian news agency TASS, the All-Russia State Broadcasting Company [VGTRK] will not broadcast the Winter Olympics from the lack of the Russia team in the event.

"What is left of the fundamentals of Olympism, by the soul of the Olympics, from the Concept of the Olympic Games?!"

"Without Russia it is a helpless Olympics! #norussianogames."

"Over the last three decades, a high stakes game of chicken was played," wrote Tygart, who had been among the key players in bringing down the disgraced cyclist Lance Armstrong.

"Between those willing to forfeit the Olympic ideals by employing a state-directed doping program to cheat and win and, on the other side, athletes unwilling to stay silent while their hopes and dreams were stolen and the Olympic Games hijacked.

"Now the IOC listened to people who matter most -- and clean athletes won a significant victory."

Looking forward to the practice of determining which Russian athletes have been "clean," WADA President, Sir Craig Reedie said. "It has to be shown that these athletes have not been implicated in the institutionalized strategy and have been analyzed as modulated by the board.

"We are willing to collaborate with other stakeholders in this regard."