Russia banned from 2018 Winter Olympic Games

Russia has been banned from participating in 2018 Winter Olympic Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea, according to the New York Times.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced the decision after finding that Russian authorities knowingly doped their athletes during 2014 winter games in Sochi.

The ban means that now 'clean' Russian athletes cannot participate in the games under their country's flags. They will have to don neutral uniforms and Olympic anthem will be played if the athletes achieve podium finish.

The ban also entails that Russian officials cannot attend the event and the flag will not be displayed during the opening ceremony.

Russia has also been stripped of 11 medals, and it has now dropped to fourth place from first position in the 2014 medal table.

The IOC took the decision after holding a meeting at their headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland.

Headed by former Switzerland president Samuel Schmid, the probe was completed in 17 months.