‘Olympics not tainted by doping’

PYEONGCHANG, South Korea: Olympics chief Thomas Bach denied the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics had been “tainted” by the Russian doping scandal as officials voted to keep Russia’s suspension in place for the closing ceremony on Sunday.

Bach said Russia’s ban from Olympic participation will automatically be lifted if anti-doping officials do not find any more Russian drug cases at Pyeongchang, where two Russians tested positive.

An International Olympic Committee source said the suspension could be lifted as early as “a few days or a few weeks” if no further positive tests come out of the Games.

The Russian question has hung over Pyeongchang. Russia was banned for systemic doping, but 168 “clean” Russians were allowed to compete — only for a curler and a bobsledder to fail drugs tests.

But Bach said the IOC had sent a “clear message” on Russia, who competed as “Olympic Athletes from Russia” and will now be unable to fly the national flag at Sunday’s closing ceremony. Bach added that he didn’t know how long it would take to clear the 166 remaining Russians of doping in Pyeongchang.