Russian Sports Minister Pavel Kolobkov holds a press conference in Moscow after the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Executive Committee announced that it is banning Russia from hosting and competing in major international sporting events for four years.
The WADA Executive Committee’s decision on Russia will go into effect in 21 days or after appeal through the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
According to the WADA, only "clean" Russian athletes will be allowed to compete in the upcoming Olympic and Paralympic Games, but under a neutral flag and without playing the country's national anthem. WADA also ruled that the Russian national flag cannot be hoisted at any major international sporting events over the next four years.
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