Russian Athletes

[Anchor Lead]

The International Olympic Committee has banned the participation of the Russian national team at the PyeongChang Winter Olympics. However, the ruling does allow clean Russian athletes to compete under a neutral Olympic flag. Russian President Vladimir Putin said he will not boycott the winter games, and allow Russian athletes to compete in an individual capacity as specified by the IOC. Since Russian athletes are considered some of the best in Winter Olympics events, this result has prevented the worst case scenario for the PyongChang Olympics.

[Pkg]

There has been breakthrough following the IOC's Olympic ban of Russian athletes. While visiting an auto plant, Russian President Vladimir Putin said he will not prevent Russian athletes from taking part in the PyeongChang Winter Olympics if they wish to compete in the games individually.

[Soundbite] (Russian President Vladimir Putin) : "We will not declare any kind of blockade measure. We will not prevent our athletes from taking part in the PyeongChang Olympics if they wish to do so."

Putin's remark comes just a day after the International Olympic Committee's disciplinary decision on Russia. What the Russian leader said is expected to be decided as a formal rule during an Olympic-related meeting scheduled in Russia. The stance is a step back from Moscow's previous position that athletes not able to compete under the Russian flag is "insulting." There is a way now for Russian athletes in snow and ice events as well as figure skaters to compete in PyeongChang. If Russia does not boycott the winter games, South Korean-born Russian short track speed skater Victor An can also attend the Olympics after which he plans to retire. Former and incumbent Russian athletes including former figure skater Evgeni Plushenko and current ice hockey player Alexander Ovechkin also support fellow players to compete in PyeongChang. Therefore the number of Russian athletes deciding to join the winter games is expected to grow.