Russian Media Weigh in on IOC Flag Decision, Doping

(ATR) Russian journalists in PyeongChang say the importance of the country witnessing its athletes parading behind the Russian flag at the closing ceremony cannot be overstated.

Around the Rings gauged the opinions of Russian reporters at the PyeongChang Olympics.

There’s immense national pride at stake. Anything less than marching behind their own flag seemingly will provoke anger and hostility towards the IOC, this despite the doping positive of Russian mixed doubles curling bronze medalist Alexandr Krushelnitckii on Feb. 19. The Russian athlete’s case is pending a hearing with the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Following a recommendation by the IOC implementation panel, led by chair Nicole Hoevertsz, the IOC executive board will issue its verdict on whether or not the Olympic Athletes from Russia will be permitted to march behind the Russian flag. The decision will be made the day before Sunday’s closing ceremony.

Artem Kuznetsov, a correspondent for Russian news agency TASS, explained the magnitude of the pending decision and the potential ramifications and ripple effect through the country if the IOC quashes Russia’s hopes.

"There are many reasons why it is important – it will show Russian sport will come back to the international family and it will be a new chapter with relationships between Russia, the IOC and the Olympic movement," Kuznetsov told ATR.

"I think IOC would like to see this story because it is also interested in this new chapter of relationships with Russia," he said. "Russia is very important, as you can see, everybody speaks about Russia everywhere. This is one of the main parts of international sports societies, so it is important for everyone."

Ilya Petrenko, a correspondent for Russia Today, the Moscow-based English language news channel, offered a similar perspective.

"When the IOC delivers the final decision, it will be a big deal in Russia," Petrenko told ATR. "I’m sure many commentators in Russia will say some nasty things about the IOC if they are not allowed to carry the flag.

"In Russia there has been a big argument whether or not Russian athletes should come," said the RT correspondent. "It’s not the majority, but many people in the country thought a boycott is what needs to be done as they thought national pride is more important than the actual competitions.

"For many Russians, even those who were clearly supporting coming under a neutral flag, it’s very important that they could actually show the flag. There are definitely high hopes and it’s a big deal in Russia."

Big IOC Decision

IOC spokesman Mark Adams on Tuesday spoke about the fluid situation and collaboration between the implementation panel and IOC executive board in orderto arrive at a decision on Feb. 24. He said it will be based upon a "whole range of issues on the team and including the payment".

In accordance with the IOC punishment of the Russian NOC for state-sponsored doping, and its athletes competing as neutral "Olympic Athletes from Russia," the NOC must also pay a $15 million fine by the end of the Games. Adams confirmed the payment has not yet been paid.

"They will look at the Games period in total whether this spirit as well as the letter of the law has been observed," Adams said of the requirements Russia must fulfill.

In regards to the Meldonium doping positive case of Krushelnitckii and its potential impact on the IOC decision, the CAS hearing will be crucial. The curling bronze medalist – who medaled alongside his wife in the new Olympic mixed gender event – claims he had a drink spiked during a pre-Olympic training camp in Japan.

"I have never heard of issueswith doping in curling to be honest," Petrenko said. "I assume this is some kind of awkward mistake maybe."

"I cannot imagine that he would take this sample by himself," Kutnetsov said. "It’s so strange because every athlete knows the whole situation around Russian sport, he knows about Meldonium and that he will be double checked during the Olympics."

Pride at Stake

For Russian president Vladimir Putin, the final day of the PyeongChang Games could become momentous for the country’s sport, image and national pride.

There is also enormous pressure on the Russian hockey team to bring home the country’s first gold medal since the Unified Team – a group of independent states that played as one following the fall of the Soviet Union – won in Albertville ’92, or first medal since a bronze in Salt Lake City 2002.

"Despite NHL players not participating, everyone in Russia, especially chiefs of the national federations, expect that Russia will take the gold medal," Kuznetsov said. "This is the main goal of every Olympics, especially here, where Russia does not have any gold medals.

"What I believe is important for Russians is whenever the camera zooms into the Russian crowd is that you see all these people with the colors of the flag painted on their faces," Petrenko said. "Thank god the IOC didn’t ban fans from carrying the flag."

It’s possible that the IOC verdict on the Russian flag and the stir it will create will overshadow the closing ceremony. Along with the success or failure of the Russian hockey team, the final day of the PyeongChang Olympics is destined to be filled with tension, high drama and emotion.

"It’s a difficult situation and we need to turn the page and then after that everything will be okay," Kuznetsov said.

Reported by Brian Pinelli in PyeongChang

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