The decision to participate in the games was taken at a meeting of the Russian Olympic Committee. Thus, the Committee was supported by Russian athletes, the day before made a statement about the readiness to go to Korea, despite the International Olympic Committee.

Olympic meeting of the athletes made the decision about the participation of our national team in games in Korea. As it became known, athletes still go in Pyeongchang under a neutral flag.

In the meeting, which was held on Tuesday, December 12, attended ROC President Alexander Zhukov, the head of the relevant federations, the members of the Executive Board of the Olympic Committee and athletes.

“The opinion of all the speakers was the same: our athletes need to go to Korea to play there and win. Olympic meeting unanimously supported the request of the athletes. They expressed their willingness to participate in the Games in 2018, despite the IOC decision, which is certainly in some measure unfair. The meeting supports any decision of athletes, including those who decide not to go,” said Committee head Alexander Zhukov at a press conference.

Users of social networks began to discuss the results of the meeting of the ROC. Many supported the Russian participants of the games and endorsed the decision of the Committee. “The voice of reason won. Congratulations to all the athletes,” wrote Tina Kandelaki in Telegram channel. “I agree! We must fight,” – said the synchronised swimmer Svetlana Romashina.

Olympic meeting supported the statement of the Russian sportsmen for participation in the Olympics 2018 unanimously. pic.twitter.com/91YH5Em4UO

— Olympic Russia (@Olympic_Russia) 12 December 2017.

A day earlier on the website of the ROC, a statement of the members of the team agree to go to the games next year. It was said that athletes want to play for Russia under a neutral flag.

“We are of the firm position of rejection of any kind of boycotts in sport and also absolutely convinced that it is unacceptable to deprive an athlete of the right to speak and to represent their country at important sporting event – the Olympic games. Especially when it is a consequence of the use of collective punishment of innocent people, not involved in the misconduct of other persons”, – said in the appeal.

Furthermore, the athletes expressed hope that the international Olympic Committee taking the decision about the Russian participants of the games will be impartial. The statement noted that some Russians have already been punished for doping, and now we are talking about re-use of sanctions.

We will remind that last week the IOC has suspended Russia from participating in the Olympics in 2018. Athletes who have never been suspected of doping, was asked to play under a neutral flag. The decision about who should be allowed to play in Pyongyang, will receive a specially created group, it will include members of the world anti-doping Agency and the Association of athletes against doping.