Sports | Russia The Olympics Just Banned Russia Over Doping Nation's athletes can compete as individuals at the Winter Games in South Korea By Newser Editors Posted Dec 5, 2017 1:19 PM CST Copied In this Feb. 18, 2014, file photo, a Russian skating fan holds the country's flag over the Olympic rings at the 2014 Sochi Games. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File) Two big things will be missing from the Winter Olympics this February in South Korea: Russia's flag and the sound of its national anthem. The International Olympic Committee on Tuesday banned Russia because of doping in previous competitions believed to have been sanctioned by the Kremlin, reports the Washington Post. All is not lost for Russian athletes, however. Some will still be allowed to compete, but as individuals. They would be officially listed as an Olympic Athlete From Russia (OAR), reports the AP. Still unclear: whether Russia will order its athletes to boycott instead. The IOC also fined Russia $15 million. Read These Next SCOTUS sounds skeptical about law banning gay conversion therapy. Robin Williams' daughter: AI clips of him are 'disturbing' You might want to take mass transit instead of driving in this city. Apprehensions at the US-Mexico border have fallen dramatically. Report an error