Russian curler stripped of Olympic medal, country pays fee
GANGNEUNG, Korea, Republic Of — Within hours of curler Alexander Krushelnitsky being stripped of a bronze medal for a doping violation, the Russian Olympic Committee said it had paid a $15 million fee that was part of the criteria to have its team reinstated at the Pyeongchang Games.
Russia’s team was officially banned from the games because of widespread doping at the Sochi Olympics four years ago, but 168 Russians were allowed by the IOC to compete as “Olympic Athletes from Russia” under the Olympic flag.
The IOC is due to decide Saturday whether to formally reinstate the Russian team for the closing ceremony the following day.
With the doping case against Krushelnitsky shaping as a potential impediment, the Russians moved to settle the matter quickly.