Olympic Games 2018: Russian athletes want to start at Olympic Games

Despite being punished by the IOC, the Russian winter sportsmen and women want to start at the winter games in Pyeongchang “We spoke with all athletes in all sports. Most of them want to participate in the games,”said Russian athlete spokeswoman Sofia Welikaja on Monday.

The team Olympic champion in sabre fencing added:”The athletes are aware that there will be no flag and no Russian colours. But they represent Russia, no matter what happens.”

Last Tuesday, the IOC ruled Russia out of the Winter Games in Pyeongchang because of the doping scandal, but wants to allow the country’s athletes who are not involved in the scandal to start as “Olympic Athletes from Russia” after individual case studies.

The Russian President Vladimir Putin then declared that there would be no boycott of the games, and that a final decision would be made at a meeting between sport and politics on Tuesday.