Russia Situation to be Cleared Up By PyeongChang

(ATR) Thomas Bach says he does expect the findings from the Oswald and Schmid commissions to come before the PyeongChang 2018 Olympics.

The 2017 IOC Session heard interim reports from each commission, which are still sifting through evidence. Oswald’s commission is investigating anti-doping manipulations pertaining to athletes mentioned in the McLaren report. Schmid’s commission continues to investigate the manipulation into anti doping system at the Sochi 2014 Olympics.

In presentations Oswald hinted that findings from his commission could come by the end of this year. The findings from the Schmid commission could come in early 2018.

"I cannot see this dragging on over PyeongChang," Bach said about the work of the commissions. "We cannot have the Olympic winter games in PyeongChang overshadowed by an ongoing procedure with regard to Russia."

One of the key tenants of the roadmap set out by the World Anti-Doping Agency to reinstate Russia is an admission of a "systematic manipulation," of the anti doping system. Russian IOC member Alexander Zhukov denied that such a systematic manipulation was in place to the session.

When pressed by reporters Bach said that "an admission alone cannot forget what happened in the past," in the face of concrete evidence. Thus the IOC would issue potential sanctions against Russia solely on the evidence from the two commissions, even without an admission, Bach said.

"Admission is not a deal break or a game changer; an admission can only then may be a mitigating factor," Bach said. "The Schmid commission will draw their conclusion from the evidence they will have after their inquiries. This is what it is about and then the IOC will take the necessary measures and sanctions right after."

IOC On Sideline of UN Negotiations

The IOC will continue to address North Korean situation "bilaterally," and not at the United Nations General Assembly.

Bach is scheduled to travel to New York next week for the opening of the UN General Assembly. The IOC is an observer at the UN and is working to draft the traditional Olympic Truce.

"The last thing the IOC wants to do is be involved in negotiations about nuclear arms or military issues," Bach said about his trip. "There we will carefully observe and will take care that we are not getting involved in this."

When asked if the latest rounds of missile tests from North Korea undermine confidence ahead of PyeongChang 2018, Bach said the IOC’s "position remains unchanged.

Being on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly does not mean the IOC will not leverage its contacts in ensuring a safe PyeongChang Olympics. Bach said that the IOC will continue to engage appropriate channels which include "our bilateral contacts we have with the different governments and with the National Olympic Committees."

"There we are appealing so that diplomacy and peace can prevail," Bach added.

IOC Questions NHL Owners

The National Hockey League must better explain its reasoning for denying its players the chance to compete in PyeongChang, Thomas Bach says.

After final speculation about the participation of NHL players was put to rest during the 2017 IOC Session, Bach says he still cannot understand the decision of the league. The International Ice Hockey Federation said that national federations cannot call on individual active NHL players for PyeongChang. Previously, NHL stars such as Alex Ovechkin, from Russia, said they would sit out parts of the season to play for their national teams in Korea.

Meanwhile, NHL executives have publicly stated the league wants to participate in the Beijing 2022 Olympics, and is holding the first ever NHL preseason game in China.

"I feel very sorry for these players," Bach said. "From my point of view it is really hard to understand from NHL side and I would also wish at least some of the owners of the club would show their appreciation for the players who want to go."

Olympic Refuge Foundation Created

The IOC and the United Nations High Commission on Refugees will sit on the board of the newly created Olympic Refuge Foundation.

The foundation will continue the work done to create the 2016 Refugee Olympic Team. It will work to create sport opportunities for more than 60 million refugees worldwide.

UNHCR High Commissioner Filippo Grandi will serve as the board’s vice-chairman. So far the IOC says support for the foundation has come from the Qatar Olympic Committee as well as the government of Liechtenstein.

Bach said in a press conference that funding for the foundation has been secured for the next three to four years. He said that the financials for the foundation will be discussed when the foundation is registered by the end of this year.

Grandi said the foundation's goal is to provide healthy competition in areas that have only seen violence. Sporting activities can encourage additional educational and health programs. The board will solicit funding from other governments, sports ministries, and private businesses, Grandi said.

"We will deal with very concrete projects and this is very important; I hope we can start soon to make a different in a systematic way in many different parts of the world," Grandi said of the foundation. "The projects will be focused on sports and spaces, but they will be connected with education and health."

Written by Aaron Bauer with additional reporting done by Ed Hula in Lima.

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