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    Russia to Remain Suspended From Olympic Closing Ceremony

    IOC signals Russia will likely be reinstated soon despite two recent doping violations

    Russian curler Aleksandr Krushelnitckii—competing as an ‘Olympic Athlete from Russia’—had his bronze medal in mixed doubles curling revoked after a doping violation at the Olympic Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea.
    Russian curler Aleksandr Krushelnitckii—competing as an ‘Olympic Athlete from Russia’—had his bronze medal in mixed doubles curling revoked after a doping violation at the Olympic Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea. Photo: javier etxezarreta/epa-efe/rex/s/EPA/Shutterstock
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    PYEONGCHANG, South Korea—Russia will remain suspended from Olympic competition for the Closing Ceremony, the International Olympic Committee ruled Sunday, though the organization signaled the country would likely be reinstated soon despite two recent doping violations by Russian athletes at the Games here.

    The decision means Russian athletes won’t be allowed to march under their country’s flag for the Closing Ceremony, just as they were prohibited in the Opening Ceremony.

    Speaking at a meeting of IOC membership on the final day of the Winter Olympics, President Thomas Bach said the committee recommended Russia’s reinstatement if and when antidoping authorities can ascertain that no other Russian athletes incur doping violations at these Games.

    Russia’s reinstatement would likely again prompt criticism that the IOC could have been tougher on an international sporting power that allegedly engaged in a massive state-sponsored doping scheme four years ago in Sochi.

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    “I feel like there’s been a loss in faith of the athletes at these Games, of all Games, because of the offenses that have occurred,” said Elana Meyers Taylor, a U.S. bobsledder who won silver in the women’s event in Pyeongchang.

    The IOC has grappled for years with how to resolve and adjudicate one of the most elaborate alleged doping schemes in sports history, culminating with a decision in December to ban Russia from having an official presence in Pyeongchang. Instead, Russian athletes were permitted to compete at the Winter Games as “Olympic Athletes from Russia,” and only after what the IOC described as stringent vetting.

    But two positive doping tests here—involving a curler whose bronze medal was later revoked, and a bobsledder who finished in 12th place—tripped up efforts by the unofficial Russian federation to re-enter the IOC’s good graces. The committee’s decision now further strains the complex relationship between the global sports organization and one of its most powerful members.

    Mark Adams, a spokesman for the IOC, had said on Saturday that the IOC didn’t regret its decision to include athletes of Russian origin at these Games, citing the “incredibly detailed” process by which the Olympic Athletes from Russia were vetted. “I think we would say, as you’d expect, that we’re always extremely disappointed when there is a doping control from whichever nation it may come from,” he said.

    Following its initial decision to suspend the Russian Olympic Committee for its alleged state-sponsored doping at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, the IOC stipulated that readmission would be contingent on several factors. Those included the performance and behavior of the Olympic Athlete from Russia delegation at the Pyeongchang Games; payment of $15 million in restitution; and progress of continued dialogue with ROC leadership.

    It remains unclear if the fine has been paid. Adams said that “all behavior and everything that’s taken place here,” including the doping positives, were to be included in the IOC executive board review of the suspension.

    Meanwhile, the continued scandal is roiling specific sports. The U.S. Biathlon team said Saturday it “could not in good conscience participate” in the sport’s final World Cup event next month, scheduled to take place in Tyumen, Russia.

    “Holding the World Cup final in Russia now sends an outrageous message of antidoping indifference to the world,” the team said, citing continued noncompliance with the World Anti-Doping Agency code, among other reasons.

    Curlers Kristin Skaslien, left, and Magnus Nedregotten of Norway waved to the crowd after receiving their bronze medals for mixed doubles curling on Saturday in Pyeongchang. The Norwegian team was upgraded after the third-place Russian team was disqualified for doping violations.
    Curlers Kristin Skaslien, left, and Magnus Nedregotten of Norway waved to the crowd after receiving their bronze medals for mixed doubles curling on Saturday in Pyeongchang. The Norwegian team was upgraded after the third-place Russian team was disqualified for doping violations. Photo: Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images

    On the penultimate day of these Winter Games, ripple effects of the Russian scandal played out in Pyeongchang, as two Norwegian curlers were awarded the bronze medal in mixed doubles following their upgrade from the Russian suspension. The IOC said the athletes, Kristin Skaslien and Magnus Nedregotten, flew back to Pyeongchang to receive their medals.

    Also on Saturday, the first gold medal was awarded to an Olympic Athlete from Russia, as Alina Zagitova collected her prize for winning the women’s figure skating event. In accordance with regulations, no Russian flag nor anthem were on display, and Olympic regalia were used instead.

    —David Gauthier-Villars and Rachel Bachman contributed to this article.

    Write to Sara Germano at sara.germano@wsj.com