Tokyo, July 18: Russia is competing under another new name at the Tokyo Olympics, the latest fallout from the Games’ longest-running doping saga.
You won’t see the Russian flag above any podiums but the national colours are on the uniforms. Doping cases old and new still cast a shadow over the team.
This time it’s not Russia, or even the Olympic Athletes from Russia. It’s the Russian Olympic Committee. Officially the athletes will represent not their country, but the ROC, and Russia’s name, flag and anthem are banned.
Critics point out that it will be hard to spot the difference when Russian teams are wearing full national colours. The new rules — an evolution of the “OAR” restrictions used at the 2018 Winter Olympics — are a confusing patchwork of dos and don’ts. Russian red, white and blue on uniforms are fine, but not the word “Russia,” the flag itself or other national symbols.
Official Olympic paperwork and TV graphics will attribute Russian results to “ROC” but won’t spell out the Russian Olympic Committee’s name in full.
Despite the name change, Russia will have a nearly full team at the Olympics. Russian officials have selected a 10-person track team that includes three world champions.
Russia is sending over 330 athletes to Tokyo. (AP)
