Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday that Russia would not prevent its athletes from competing at the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics if they so desired.
Putin added that Russia accepted some responsibility for the International Olympic Committee (IOC) decision to ban the country from the upcoming Games but said the accusations against Russian athletes banned for alleged doping violations were baseless.
READ MORE: Russian Olympic team banned from 2018 Winter Games over doping scandal
The IOC on Tuesday banned Russia from the Olympics after evidence emerged of an “unprecedented systematic manipulation” of the anti-doping system.
WATCH: Russian doping whistleblower thinks IOC decision barring Russia from Olympics ‘appropriate’
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IOC suspends Russian Olympic committee from 2018 Winter Games -
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IOC to hold medal ceremonies for athletes affected by doping -
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Russian doping whistleblower thinks IOC decision barring Russia from Olympics ‘appropriate’ -
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IOC levels bans against members of Russian Olympic committee -
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Russia to reimburse IOC $15M for costs of doping investigation
The door was left open, however, for Russians to compete as an “Olympic Athlete of Russia” as long as they satisfy strict conditions that show they have a doping-free background.
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