Olympics 2018: Ice hockey superstar Ovetschkin on Pyeongchang: Russians are to “compete and do their best”.

Russian ice hockey superstar Alexander Ovetschkin has called on the athletes from his homeland to take part in the Olympic Winter Games in Pyeongchang (9th place) under a neutral flag. till 25. February).

“The most important thing is for our athletes to compete and do their best,”said the striker from NHL club Washington Capital.

On Tuesday, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) ruled Russia out of the South Korean Games because of systematic doping, but offered clean athletes the prospect of a start under certain conditions. Ovetschkin is not included as the NHL is not taking a break this time for the Winter Games.

The Russian ice hockey team wants to see Ovetschkin play under a neutral flag at the tournament,”I support that,”said the 32-year-old and made it clear that he had never called for a boycott, contrary to other reports. On Wednesday afternoon, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin declared that there would be no boycott of the Russians.

Ovetschkin are sorry for the athletes from his homeland. The IOC decision was “hard for the athletes. Some prepare for the Olympic Games for three years.”