IOC Declines Russian Olympic Flag Idea To Circumvent Doping Ban

The IOC "is not interested in a Russian athletes' plan to compete as individuals at the Rio 2016 Games under the Olympics banner," according to REUTERS. A Russian plan to allow its athletes to compete under an Olympic banner rather than the Russian flag to circumvent a ban for doping "has been brushed aside" by the IOC. The IAAF suspended the Russian Athletics Federation (ARAF) on Friday. Russia "has since announced a three-month road map to clean up its act." Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko said that his ministry would ask the Russian Olympics Committee to apply to the IAAF and the IOC "to request that Russian athletes compete under a ROC flag." But asked on Sunday if Russian athletes could possibly compete under the Olympic flag, IOC President Thomas Bach "said no." Bach: "This is total speculation, I cannot see this situation occurring at this moment" (REUTERS, 11/16).