Russian President Vladimir Putin has told the countryB次元官网网址檚 athletes to forget about doping scandals when they compete at the Pyeongchang Olympics.

As punishment for what it deemed a doping scheme during the 2014 Sochi Olympics, the International Olympic Committee has invited 169 Russians to compete under a neutral flag using the name B次元官网网址淥lympic Athletes from Russia.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淚 wish you not to think about anything which has recently accompanied your preparation for these Olympics,B次元官网网址� Putin told a gathering of athletes at his presidential residence outside Moscow on Wednesday.

He added that he hopes they B次元官网网址渇ocus on sporting competition, and that you know that following you, as usual, are hundreds of thousands, millions, of fans who love you and hope you win.B次元官网网址�

While the athletes wore their IOC-approved B次元官网网址渘eutralB次元官网网址� uniforms without the Russian flag B次元官网网址� grey for men, red for women B次元官网网址� the event was full of patriotic gestures.

Hockey players Pavel Datsyuk and Ilya Kovalchuk stepped up to present Putin with a Russian jersey bearing his name and playersB次元官网网址� signatures along with the slogan B次元官网网址淩ussia in my heart.B次元官网网址�

Several athletes wore their B次元官网网址渘eutralB次元官网网址� jackets open to show a Russian-flag shirt underneath.

Russian athletes wonB次元官网网址檛 be allowed to display the flag in Pyeongchang, or to celebrate with Russian flags given by fans. If they win, the Olympic anthem will be played.

Related:

The Associated Press

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