The Russian flag, the state’s coat of arms as well as that of Russia’s Olympic Committee are banned

112 International

Russian athletes allowed to perform at the forthcoming Winter Olympic Games in Pyeongchang cannot put any national symbols or the word ‘Russia’ on their uniforms – for the whole event’s period. This was stated in the document that the International Olympic Committee sent to the national sports federations.

The decision was made after numerous reports about Russian athletes using doping, the banned substances to enhance their performance; the related scandals eventually led to various restriction measures such as depriving athletes of their Olympic awards that they won during the 2014 Olympics in Sochi.

The IOC imposed following restrictions: the Russian coat of arms and the emblem of the Russian Olympic Committee will be substituted with Olympic rings; the ‘RUS’ writing will be changed into ‘OAR’ (Olympic Athlete from Russia). ‘Team Russia’ trademark is also banned.

Previously, the IOC banned the Russian national Olympic team from participation in the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang slated for February 2018. However, the decision also foresees that Russian athletes who were not involved in the doping scandals may perform under the neutral flag.