Korea voices regret over Russia Olympics ban

SOUTH Korea yesterday voiced regret over the decision to ban Russia from the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, saying the participation of the country’s athletes was crucial to its success.

The South Korean Sports Ministry urged Russian athletes to compete as neutrals following the International Olympic Committee’s unprecedented ban, saying in a statement it had “worked hard over the past seven years to make meticulous preparations” for a peaceful and harmonious Games.

“The participation of winter sports athletes from around the world, including Russia, is the key to the success of the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics and a crucial factor in realising the Olympic spirit,” said the ministry, which is responsible for preparing the Games.

The presence of Russian athletes “who have shown outstanding performance in the many previous Winter Games, would make significant contributions to the success of the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympic Games,” it added.

The statement came after Russian President Vladimir Putin said Moscow would not boycott the event despite the ban over a state-orchestrated doping program, assuaging fears Russia could spurn the Games entirely.

In its statement, the South Korean Sports Ministry said it “regrets the situation that caused the IOC Executive Board to decide on sanctions against Russia for doping violations”.

The absence of athletes from Russia – a winter sports power – would repre- sent a major blow to host South Korea, already under the shadow of North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats.

The Games have also been hit by the decision by North America’s National Hockey League not to allow its athletes to attend, and lukewarm interest in South Korea.

Pyeongchang organisers on Wednesday said it would prefer it if Russians competed under their flag, but accepted as “second best” the decision to allow their participation as neutrals.