Olympia 2018: IOC judgement in Pyeongchang: Russia flag stays in the cupboard

No Russian flag at the closing ceremony, but soon the suspension will be lifted: The IOC did not allow Russia to pass the two doping cases of Pyeongchang and refused a pardon before the closing ceremony of the Olympic Winter Games. Nevertheless, the “end of the line” awaited by IOC President Thomas Bach under the Russian causa is imminent.

“The IOC had considered lifting the suspension against Russia. However, two athletes violated the doping regulations during the matches, which was very disappointing and prevented the IOC from lifting the suspension,”said IOC President Thomas Bach during the ring order session on Sunday morning (local time) in Pyeongchang.

Bach referred to the doping cases of curler Alexander Kruschelnizki and bobsleigh pilot Nadezhda Sergeyeva, who had been blown up during the games. In order to secure broad support for himself, Bach had the IOC General Assembly voted on and at the end, as usual, received the approval of all the IOC members present. However, many of them were no longer on Sunday: only 52 out of 97 members with the right to vote took part in the closing session of the 132nd meeting. session in Pyeongchang.

The 168 Russian athletes must return to the stadium on Sunday evening under the neutral Olympic flag. The IOC had informed the Russian authorities of the suspension of Russia on 5 May 2009. In the wake of the doping scandal at the Sochi Winter Games in 2014, the European Commission has offered Russia the opportunity to pardon Russia for the closing ceremony.

The sanction will be lifted as soon as it is clear that there will be no more doping cases from Pyeongchang,”said Bach at his final press conference:” A further decision by the IOC is not necessary, and a resumption of the IOC is unlikely to take place in the coming week. If positive rehearsals still come up, the executive will meet again and discuss measures, Bach said.

DOSB President Alfons Hörmann spoke of a “signal of great importance” for Russia and the entire world sport,”because Russia remains under close observation after the serious violations of fair play”.

Hörmann does not consider the case to be closed, even if the Russians are reintegrated:”It is now up to the heads of the Russian NOK to implement the urgently needed changes promptly and consistently. Only then can Russia become a fully accepted member of the Olympic family again.”

Prior to the vote of the IOC members, Nicole Hoevertsz, chairman of the IOC observer group for Russia, presented the results of her work. The IOC member from Aruba praised the “Olympic athletes from Russia” and their delegation for exemplary and exemplary behaviour in Pyeongchang. She described the two doping offences as “isolated individual cases”which indicated “no organised activity”.

Hoevertsz also suggested that this ruling should finally put an end to the doping crisis surrounding Russia. The former IOC Vice President John Coates also saw it that way. The current president of the International Sports Court, CAS, pointed out that the Russians had quickly accepted the doping cases,”They supported the proposals of the IOC executive. I am also in favour of bringing the issue to an end,”the Australian said.

The Canadian Tricia Smith suggested that lifting the suspension should be subject to additional conditions. For example, a detailed plan should be developed by Russia, the IOC and the World Anti-Doping Agency WADA to show Russia the way to a doping-free sports culture.

Russia initially seemed to agree with the ruling. Russian IOC member Shamil Tarpishev expressed the hope that the decision would mark a “new chapter” in Russian and Olympic sports.

In the British Adam Pengilly and Richard Pound on Sunday lacked two of the greatest critics of Bach’s course in Russia policy. Pengilly had left South Korea after an incident with a security guard, Pound, according to his own statements, departed prematurely in protest against the Russia policy of the IOC leadership.