Bach critic expelled from Games after security run-in

PYEONGCHANG, SOUTH KOREA » An IOC member expelled from the Pyeongchang Olympics over a run-in with a security guard is also one of the only members openly critical of President Thomas Bach’s move to allow Russian athletes to compete at the games.

Adam Pengilly, a vice president of the International Bobsled and Skeleton Federation, apologized and acknowledged running through the security checkpoint at his hotel and using coarse language on Thursday. He denied accusations that he pushed the guard in the incident.

Pengilly, who is British, didn’t support the decision allowing Russians to compete in Pyeongchang in the wake of a massive doping scandal.

Pressed to explain why the British official was expelled while other IOC members facing investigations are allowed to take part in activities in Pyeongchang, International Olympic Committee spokesman Mark Adams on Friday said it was because the incident happened during the games and because Pengilly had acknowledged his behavior.

“Because this involved ... security during the games,” Adams said.

Rodchenkov: ‘Sorry to all clean athletes we cheated’

An apology for Russia’s doping scheme is now ready to be issued. Not by the state which ordered the systematic cover-up but by the chemist who helped Russian athletes trick the system.

“I am very sorry to all the clean athletes we cheated,” former Russian anti-doping laboratory director Grigory Rodchenkov said in response to questions from The Associated Press sent through his lawyer.

Similar remorse has not been forthcoming from Russian authorities, who challenge the legitimacy of Rodchenkov’s confessions and deny any doping was state-sponsored. Rodchenkov, who fled to the U.S. to expose the elaborate ruse to evade doping tests, claimed the Russians are still “lying and denying.”