12.06.17

Sullivan Statement on Expulsion of Russia from 2018 Winter Olympics

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK) released the following statement today on the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) decision to expel Russia from the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea.

“I applaud the International Olympic Committee for taking this decisive action against Russia and their state-sponsored doping program,” said Senator Sullivan. “This unprecedented action sends a powerful message to the international sporting community that this orchestrated attempt to cheat on the world’s stage – implemented at the direction of the Kremlin and Vladimir Putin across more than 30 sports and 1,000 athletes – will not and cannot be tolerated. With the 2018 Winter Games in South Korea approaching, my hope is we can begin to rebuild trust and confidence in the Olympic Games and the use of sport as an international unifier.”

Background:

Following reports and allegations associated with the Russian doping scandal, Senator Sullivan strongly advocated for the International Olympic Committee to ban Russia’s Olympic team from competing in the Olympic Games. In May 2016, Senator Sullivan wrote IOC President Bach expressing concern over reports that the Russian government – including President Vladimir Putin – endorsed a widespread doping program over several past Olympic Games and a variety of sporting events. Sullivan called on the IOC, pending the results of an investigation, to ban the Russian team from competing in the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

 

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