Russia's Team Banned from 2018 Winter Olympics

The International Olympic Committee announced on Tuesday that the Russian team has been banned from participating in the 2018 Winter Olympics, but Russian athletes can compete individually under special conditions. This decision follows an investigation into evidence linking the government to doping among Russian athletes during the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi. According to AFP, the decision was made after the connection between the Russian government and the doping of its athletes was established. The IOC also imposed a lifetime ban on Vitaly Mutko, the current Deputy Prime Minister and former Minister of Sports of Russia, for his involvement in the doping scandal. Following this decision, Mutko's role in his current position has become uncertain. He is currently the head of the organizing committee for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, which is set to be hosted by Russia. Mutko was also banned from participating in the 2016 Olympics in Brazil. The report indicates that there have been instances of countries being banned from the Olympics in the past, such as South Africa due to apartheid, but no country has ever been banned solely for doping offenses. The IOC stated that Russian athletes can compete individually under the Olympic flag. Thomas Bach, the IOC president, stated, 'This (Russia's actions) is an unprecedented attack on the integrity of sports and the Olympic Games.' He added that the IOC has imposed appropriate sanctions against this organized manipulation while simultaneously supporting clean athletes. With this IOC decision, Russian athletes will be allowed to participate individually only if invited and willing to undergo rigorous doping tests. The Winter Olympics are scheduled to take place in South Korea starting February 9 of the following year. Due to cheating and doping, 11 of the 33 medals that Russia won during the Sochi Winter Olympics have been revoked. With the removal of these medals, Russia lost its championship title, which was awarded to Norway.