Bashkiria may be represented by 30 athletes at Olympics in Pyeongchang

UFA, 6 December 2017. /Bashinform News Agency, Natalia Ovcharuk/. Yesterday, the International Olympic Committee made a "verdict" on Russian athletes: they can go to the 2018 Olympics in Pyeongchang, but can compete only under a neutral flag, and in case of victory it will sound the anthem of the Olympic Games and the Olympic flag will be raised.

Among possible participants of the upcoming Olympics in South Korea are the names of Bashkir athletes. According to the Republican Ministry of Youth Policy and Sport, the preliminary list of the Russian Olympic team includes more than 30 athletes in the following categories: biathlon, bobsleigh, skeleton, Nordic combined skiing, ski jumping, snowboarding, freestyle, hockey, short track.

Currently Semen Elistratov (short track), Anton Babikov (biathlon), Ernest Yakhin (Nordic combined), Dmitry Vasiliev and Ilmir Khazetdinov (both ski jumping) and others are preparing for the 23rd Winter Olympics. The issue of participation of hockey players from the HC Agidel (Ufa) and a bobsleigh pilot Ilvir Khuzin has not been decided yet.

On December 5, after the meeting, the IOC President Thomas Bach announced a decision of the board on the Russian athletes competing at the Games-2018.

On Wednesday, December 6, the Russian President Vladimir Putin may express his stance on the participation of the national team in the Olympics.