Beijing demands protection for Russia's clean athletes

China has always opposed the use of doping but it also demands that the rights and interests of clean athletes be protected, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Geng Shuang said at a briefing, commenting on the decision made by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to ban Russia from the 2018 Olympics.

"China’s government has always opposed the use of doping. At the same time, we believe that it is necessary to guarantee all the legitimate rights and interests of clean athletes, as well as to keep the sports industry fair and clean," TASS cited Geng Shuagn as saying.

The IOC announced its decision to suspend the Russian Olympic Committee, banning the national team from participating in the 2018 Olympic Games in South Korea’s Pyeongchang. The IOC accused Russia of systematic violations of anti-doping rules, particularly during the 2014 Sochi Olympics. Clean athletes may participate in the upcoming games as "Olympic Athletes of Russia."