The International Olympic Committee has decided not to reinstate Russia’s Olympic status ahead of the closing ceremony in Pyeongchang on Sunday.
Russia’s Olympic team was barred last December from the Pyeongchang Games following allegations of a state-run doping program, but 168 clean athletes were cleared to participate under a neutral flag.
Two of those athletes — Russian curler Alexander Krushelnitsky and bobsledder Nadezhda Sergeyeva — were suspended last week over doping allegations.
“This was hugely disappointing and, in addition to other considerations, prevented the IOC from even considering lifting the suspension for the closing ceremony,” the IOC said in an online statement.
The news came hours before Russia’s male hockey team beat Germany 4-3, bringing in the first Olympic hockey gold since 1992.
The IOC statement added Russia would have its Olympic status automatically restored if no other Russian athletes were shown to have violated doping rules at the Winter Games.
Russian Athlete Claims First Gold in Pyeongchang Amid Doping Controversy
Athletes from Russia competing under a neutral flag won the country’s first gold medal at the Winter Olympics when 15-year old figure skater Alina Zagitova claimed gold Friday morning.
The win follows controversy surrounding Alexander Krushelnitsky, who was stripped of his bronze medal in mixed doubles curling on Thursday after testing positive for meldonium.
The women’s figure-skating silver went to another Russian, Yevgenia Medvedeva, with bronze claimed by Kaetlyn Osmond from Canada.
This brings the total number of medals won by Russian athletes in Pyeongchang to 14.
Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev congratulated the figure skaters on Twitter.
Russia is set to face off the Czech Republic later on Friday in the men’s ice hockey semi-finals.
