Russia has been banned from competing at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang by the International Olympic Committee.

The ban follows a lengthy investigation into allegations of state-sponsored doping at the 2014 Games hosted by Russia in Sochi.

Some Russian athletes will be allowed to compete under a neutral flag after proving they are clean.

‘This was an unprecedented attack on the integrity of the Olympic Games and sport,’ said IOC president Thomas Bach.

‘This should draw a line under this damaging episode and serve as a catalyst for a more effective anti-doping system.’

The country's deputy prime minister, Vitaly Mutko, was handed a lifetime ban, preventing him from having any involvement in the Olympic Games.

The IOC also fined the ROC $15m to reimburse the costs of their investigations and help set up a new Independent Testing Authority.

Source - https://www.veeinsider.com/sports/russian-doping-ioc-bans-russia-from-2018-olympics-over-doping-scandal/