sport-express.ru
The first day of Winter Olympics brought Russian athletes first award, Sport-Express newspaper reports. The bronze medal at short track speed skating was received by Semen Elistratov. He's covered a 1,5 km distance in 2 minutes 10.687 seconds. "I dedicate this medal to all guys that have been excluded from these Games in such a hard and unfair way. This medal is for you," said Elistratov. He's added that it was hard to hold his tears back.
South Korean athlete Hyo-jun Lim won the gold, making the new Olympic record. Dutch athlete Sjinkie Knegt secured second place winning the Netherlands the silver.
Let us remember, only 168 Russians came to the South Korea. The International Olympic Committee has decided to let 'clean' Russian sportsmen never involved in the doping scandals participate under the Olympic flag in the status “Olympic Athlete from Russia” (OAR).
Note that more than 75% Russian residents are going to watch The PyeongChang 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. The interest has not dissipated due to aforementioned tense situation with Russian team participation. Despite the fact that Russian athletes will compete under neutral flag, the majority of Russian population count on them as on Russia's representatives.
Russkiy Mir
