Winter Olympic Sports Welcome Neutral Russians -- Federations Focus

(ATR) The seven Winter Olympic International Federations share mixed reactions to the decision to bar Russia from the PyeongChang 2018 Games, but all contain similar sentiments.

Six of the seven IFs have released statements after Tuesday’s decision by the International Olympic Committee to suspend Russia yet allow neutral Russian athletes a pathway to the Winter Olympics.

The International Ice Hockey Federation tells Around the Rings it must assess the decision taken by the IOC before providing a detailed reaction.

"The IIHF acknowledges the decision of the IOC Executive Board taken regarding Russia’s participation in the 2018 Olympic Winter Games," the IIHF statement reads. "We must now take some time to discuss, together with our membership and with the IIHF Council, the impact of this decision on the Olympic men’s and women’s ice hockey tournaments."

The International Ski Federation said in a statement that it "fully respects" the IOC decision to suspend Russia.

"The Olympics is the showcase for international sports and the IOC decision sends a clear message that cheating and corruption of any kind will not be tolerated," FIS said. "It is a clear step in maintaining the integrity of sport and protecting the interests of clean athletes."

The International Skating Union said it was "appalled and deeply saddened" by the findings of Samuel Schmid in his IOC-backed investigation of doping manipulation at the Sochi 2014 Games. A statement from the federation added it respected the decision taken by the IOC Executive Board.

The ISU is also waiting on the detailed report on suspensions of two Russian speed skaters from the IOC Disciplinary Commission led by Denis Oswald.

"Once the IOC Disciplinary Commission has issued its full motivated decision and mindful of the ongoing Speed Skating season, the ISU will undertake the urgent necessary steps within the competence of the ISU," the federation said.

International Luge Federation President Josef Fendt expressed relief that neutral and clean athletes would be allowed to compete in PyeongChang.

"We can find no evidence to indicate any wrongdoing by Russian lugers," Fendt said in a statement. "So I am glad that they are able to compete in Korea under strict conditions."

The World Curling Federation echoed the sentiments of Fendt.

"The World Curling Federation is pleased the International Olympic Committee has found a pathway for clean Russian athletes to participate in the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games," the federation said in its statement.

"The World Curling Federation is already working to ensure that the recommendations of the Pre-Games Testing Task Force are fully implemented and that the Russian curling athletes who will have the opportunity to compete at the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games have undergone all the targeted tests recommended by the Task Force."

International Biathlon Union President Anders Besseberg said in a statement that athlete rights were most important in the decision.

"We believe that the decision taken by the IOC Executive Board is an important step in the efforts to protect clean athletes," Besseberg said.

IBU executives will hold an extraordinary meeting Dec. 10 before an information meeting for all World Cup teams and athletes. These meetings will cover the IOC decision and will be followed by a press conference.

ATR has requested a statement from the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation.

Written by Kevin Nutley

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