ROC (Russian Olympic Committee) is the name under which Russian athletes are competing in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. Know why this is so.
Two years ago in 2019, Russia were banned from all international sport, including the 2021 Tokyo Olympics due to doping violations. And yet there are more Russians at Tokyo this year than there were at Rio in 2016. ROC or the Russian Olympic Committee is thus, the delegation of Russian athletes playing in Tokyo. Read on to know why Russia was banned and the rules ROC needs to follow.
Why Was Russia Banned From International Sport And What Is ROC At The 2021 Tokyo Olympics
The World Doping Agency had unanimously agreed to put a four-year ban on Russia for all international sport, due to its unethical state-sponsored doping program in 2019. The scandal came to light in 2016 when almost 15 Russian athletes had been tested positive in the doping test. They had won a medal at the Winter Games in Sochi, and the state had covered up their test results.
Later, following an appeal, the Court of Arbitration for Sports had reduced the ban to two years. However, as per the ban imposed by WADA, no athlete can compete under the country name Russia from December 17, 2020, to December 17, 2022. Athletes who were not a part of the doping scandal were granted permission to compete in athletic events as a neutral party, forming the ROC in 2020.
Rules to be followed by the ROC athletes
ROC athletes are neither allowed to compete under the Russian flag, or use the flag and the Russian symbol anywhere on their uniform or vests. A flag containing an Olympic flame in Russia’s colors with the Olympic rings underneath represents them. Though they are allowed to display the white, blue and red colors of Russia, their uniform cannot contain the word “Russia” unless it is accompanied by “neutral athlete.”
Instead of the country’s national anthem, ROC gold medalists will hear Pyotr Tchaikovsky’s “Piano Concerto No. 1” at the podium. Moreover, the ROC must be publicly displayed as the ROC and not spelled out as the Russian Olympic Committee.
Despite these regulations, the medal tally of ROC at the 2021 Olympics stands strong at 50. This includes 12 gold, 21 silver and 17 bronze medals.
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