Russian President Vladimir V. Putin said Wednesday that Russia would not boycott the Winter Olympics and would allow its athletes to participate under a neutral flag.
“Without any doubt, we will not declare any boycott, we will not prevent our Olympians from participating, if one of them wants to take part in a personal capacity,” he said, according to the Russian news agency R-Sport.
The International Olympic Committee barred the Russians on Tuesday from competing as a team because of a state-backed doping program.
The country’s government officials are forbidden to attend, its flag will not be displayed and its anthem will not be played.