MOSCOW – Russian President Vladmir Putin says his country’s athletes will still be participating in the Olympics despite a 4 year ban by representing the country Russia is partially occupying.

The World Anti-Doping Agency imposed a ban on the country from participating in the 2020 Games in Tokyo and 2022 Games in Beijing, but Putin says that he will ensure Russia’s full participation.

“Our athletes have put in years of hard work, and it’s unfair that they’ll be punished for coming from a country that cheats for them,” said Putin condemning the decision by the international body. “But we’ve been proudly Ukrainian too…this whole time. And many other back-up countries that belong to us.”

Putin says that the Crimea Club will represent Ukraine at the World Cup in Qatar in 2022 to avoid the ban.

“And to hedge our bets, our lesser Russian athletes will represent the Republic of Georgia,” added Putin.