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Russia back in the Olympics after IOC lifts suspension

February 28, 2018

Just three days after the 2018 Winter Olympics ended, the IOC has confirmed that Russia has been welcomed back into the Olympic fold. This came after remaining tests from the Olympic Athletes from Russia tested negative.

https://p.dw.com/p/2tTFI
CAS Entscheidung im russischen Doping-Skandal
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/AP/David J. Phil

Despite two failed doping tests from its athletes at the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, the Russian Olympic Committee has had it's suspension lifted by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Wednesday, after no further Russians tested positive for banned substances.

Zhukov: 'The Russian Olympic Committee is once again completely reinstated in its rights'

"The final notification of all remaining test results from the Olympic Athlete from Russia (OAR) delegation has been received from the Doping-Free Sport Unit (DFSU)," an IOC spokesman said in a statement. "The IOC can confirm that all the remaining results are negative."

Read more: Critics unimpressed with Russia's Olympic reinstatement

Russia had been banned from Olympic competition late last year after a massive doping scandal at the 2014 Sochi Games was outlined in a report commissioned by the World Anti-Doping Agency and released in 2016.

IOC lifts ban on Russia: DW's Jonathan Crane

A total of 168 athletes were allowed to compete at the Pyeongchang Games under a netural flag and without Russian symbols. Two of those athletes tested positive, something that prevented the IOC from reinstating the country in time to allow Russian athletes to march behind their flag for Sunday's closing ceremony. Of the two athletes who tested positive, the curler, who won bronze in the mixed doubles, was stripped of his medal, as was his teammate. 

jh/pfd (dpa, AP)