Kremlin: media reports about the ban of Russian anthem at the Olympics in South Korea is ‘a provocation’
The State Duma Deputy, Mikhail Degtyarev, has expressed the opinion that the report by the New York Times on the possible ban of the Russian anthem at the 2018 Olympics in South Korea is a "provocation" aimed at "demoralizing the Russian national team." He stated it in a conversation with R-Sport.
In his opinion, "the provocation of the New York Times is aimed at demoralizing the Russian national team, all sports officials, and putting pressure on our country and the International Olympic Committee (IOC)."
"Accepting the so-called ‘half-hearted’ decision, that is, the admission of athletes under a neutral flag and without an anthem, in my opinion, is unacceptable," Degtyarev said. "A compromise is not appropriate here. This is the humiliation of our country," he underlined.
On November 6th, the New York Times has reported that the IOC may allow the Russian national team to take part in the 2018 Winter Olympics which are to be held in PyeongChang, under the condition that they are banned from participating in the opening ceremonies and playing the Russian national anthem, according to sources familiar with the situation.
According to the sources, the highest officials of the International Olympic Committee are considering the possibility of Russian athletes’ participating under a neutral flag. The IOC can impose "a significant financial penalty," as well as prohibit some athletes from participating in competitions or prohibit any mention of Russia during the Games, as relayed by the NYT representatives.
According to them, the decision to admit Russian athletes to the Olympic Games should be made on December 5th at the IOC Executive Committee meeting.
On November 5th, the President of the Russian Olympic Committee, Alexander Zhukov, has declared that Moscow will not consider the option of the Russian team's performance under a neutral flag at the Olympics.