No Russia — no games. This hashtag gained immense popularity in social networks in less than a day. Users support Russian athletes in such a way. On the eve, the International Olympic Committee made a decision on the participation of Russians in the 2018 Olympic Games in South Korea. IOC stated that our athletes could perform both in individual and team sports, but not under the national but under the Olympic flag.
Alexander Zhukov, Head of the Russian Olympic Committee: "Speaking about the positive aspects, the International Olympic Committee allowed all Russian athletes, clean Russian athletes, to participate both in individual and team sports in the Olympics. This is the first point. The second point is that this team will be called the "Russian athletes team".
The International Olympic Committee’s decision won’t stop Russia, has commented on the news the Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova. According to her, the sport has been an integral part of the lives of Russians for a long time, as well as one of the national ideas.
Maria Zakharova: "Historically, we have endured so many things coming from the “partners". Well, they can never rise above us either by the World War, or the collapse of the Soviet Union, or sanctions... We stand up and survive. There are the new generation athletes, the world sport has seen the achievements of Russian athletes. Russia held the truly excellent Olympic games. They’re constantly trying to prove the absurdity of our whole way of life, culture, history, now sport. Is it painful? Very. We’re now with our athletes with our souls and hearts. Will we survive? We will".
