The next winter Olympic Games can lose not only the Russian national team, but also the United States. This was warned by the US permanent representative to the UN Nikki Haley. She said that at the moment the participation of American athletes in the Olympics is "an open question," and put everything in dependence on the behavior of the North Korean regime. "I think everything will depend on what will happen in the DPRK. We must closely monitor this, the situation is changing every day, "she noted on Fox News. As for the diplomat personally, she is not sure that American athletes should plan their performance at the Olympics. She assured that the presidential administration will think, first of all, about the safety of its citizens. Although, she stressed, "we never fear anything". Actually, it is not very clear to whom this statement was addressed to Hayley. Winter sportsmen in the US? Then why did the country representative at the UN, and from television? Other participants of the Games? In general, it's pointless to warn others about reducing competition in the fight for medals. National Olympic Committees, so they made a similar decision and left Pyeongchang virtually without the Games? Or is this a warning to Pyongyang? So, North Korea has already made it clear that for its own safety it will not give way to anything. In general, the strange statement of such a high-ranking diplomat, allegedly thrown to the word, but quickly scattered around the world. Of course, in this way, Haley reminded everyone of the serious escalation that is intensifying around the Korean Peninsula.

But from these political games athletes suffer, who would now calmly prepare for the main start of the four-year period, and perhaps their entire life. However, Games-2018 and so can become the most nervous in the history of the Olympic movement. On Tuesday, December 5, the IOC announced a ban on the participation of the Russian national team in the Olympics in Pyeongchang. Russian athletes will be able to compete only under the neutral flag.

Earlier in the NHL decided not to let the players for the Olympics-2018.