What is a neutral flag and why beneath the sportsmen

What is a neutral flag?

This is the traditional Olympic flag - white cloth with intertwined rings of blue, black, red, yellow and green colors. They represent the five parts of the world.

Flag invented French sports activist Pierre de Coubertin in 1913. For the first time a new character was presented at the VII Summer Olympics in Antwerp in 1920.

Why do athletes perform under a neutral flag, not under the flag of their country?

Typically, this is because the National Olympic Committee of the country is not recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). For example, because of the political conflicts: in the state of war broke out, there was a military coup.

The country itself may refuse an invitation to send a team to the Olympics or athlete for some internal (often, again, political) reasons.

But all the athletes who have been Olympic selection, the right to take the decision to participate in the Olympic Games themselves. In this case, they come under a neutral flag.

Act under their flag, or neutral - what's the difference?

At the opening and closing ceremonies instead of the country of the flag will raise the Olympic flag. At the competition the athletes will not be able to use national symbols, including clothing. In case of victory sound IOC anthem, not the national anthem.

If an athlete can not speak for their country, why would he even go to the Olympics?

The opportunity to speak under a neutral flag is provided in order not to break the career of the athlete and give him a chance to prove himself. For the Olympics, he is preparing for four years. This is a big job.

All conquered under a neutral flag medals included in the personal record of the athlete.

Athletes from what already performed under a neutral flag?

In 1980, athletes from countries that boycotted the Moscow Olympics, performed under a neutral flag. Among them - the current president of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) Sebastian Coe, judoka Ezio Gamba, high jumper Sara Simeoni.

Under the flag of the IOC over the years went by athletes from India, South Sudan, East Timor, the Netherlands Antilles, Kuwait, the former Yugoslavia. At the Olympic Games 2016, held in Rio under a neutral flag acted as a team of refugees from Syria, South Sudan, Ethiopia.

At the Winter Olympics 1992 in Albertville in honor of the victories of our athletes raised the flag of the IOC and the Olympic anthem played. Then the Russians were members of a united team. It included athletes of the former Soviet republics.

Why now all of a sudden started talking about a neutral flag?

The International Olympic Committee decided to allow Russian athletes for the Winter Olympics, which will be held in South Korea's Pyeongchang, from 9 to 25 February 2018, not under his own, and under neutral flag. The reason - doping scandal. Because of him, the IOC suspended the membership of the Russian Olympic Committee.

Which of our athletes will be able to perform at the upcoming Olympic Games, determine the special commission. Its structure will include representatives of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), the anti-doping unit convention SportAccord (DFSU) and IOC.

The Russians, who will participate in individual or team competitions at the Olympic Games under a neutral flag, will receive the status of "athlete-Olympian of Russia» (Olympic Athlete from Russia).