Olympics not ‘tainted’ by Russian doping, says Bach

PYEONGCHANG, South Korea, Feb 25 (AFP): 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.

Russia's national Olympic Committee hailed Sunday's IOC vote and said it expected its suspension to be lifted "within the next few days".

"According to the standing order, it takes 72 hours to implement the test procedure," a statement said.

The Russian men's ice hockey team also sang the Russian national anthem after winning gold on Sunday, contravening guidelines over Russia's participation as neutrals.

The Russian question has hung over Pyeongchang. The country 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" (OAR) and are unable to fly the national flag at the closing ceremony following Sunday's vote.

"I don't think, quite frankly, that these Olympic Winter Games have been tainted by the Russian affair because we had no Russian team here. This was a clear message," Bach said.