Zakharova on IOC Decision: it's part of larger campaign against Russia

The decision of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on the participation of Russia in the upcoming Winter Olympics is part of a large-scale attack, an attempt to chase Russia away from professional sports, the spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova said.

"This is a large-scale attack. I think it is connected to the fact that an upfront attempt to isolate Russia fell apart, did not succeed," Zakharova told reporters.

"No isolation happened. But there is still a desire for one, and there are also opportunities,” the spokesperson noted.

Russia was banned Tuesday from the 2018 Winter Games by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) over its state-orchestrated doping programme, but clean Russian athletes will be allowed to compete under an Olympic flag.