Pyeongchang|Russian athlete's comments probed for breaking Team OAR rule

APD NEWS

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Comments made by a Russian medallist in Pyeongchang are being investigated after they appeared to break the rules of the neutral team's behaviour.

Semen Elistratov, competing for Olympic Athletes from Russia (OAR), dedicated his speed skating medal to Russian athletes excluded from the Games.

He also said their expulsion, because of state-sponsored doping at the 2014 Games in Sochi, was "harsh and unfair".

The International Olympic Committee is now collating evidence on the comments.

Russia is banned from competing at the Winter Olympics but 169 of their athletes are allowed to compete as neutrals under the OAR team banner.

To be eligible to compete those athletes must adhere to strict guidelines set out by the IOC, including to "respect the IOC Executive Board's decision and spirit".

Other conduct guidelines include; only referring to the delegation as Team OAR, understanding that the team will compete under the Olympic Flag and that the Olympic anthem will be played at all ceremonies and also refraining from any public form of publicity, activity and communication associated with the national flag, anthem, emblem and symbol.

(BBC)