Vladimir Putin met with Russian athletes who will perform at the Olympics in Pyeongchang and unexpectedly asked them to forgive. The President reminded that the victory in the sport is achieved with great difficulty. "It's doubly harder, when such an assessment is made in the country, different opinions on this matter sound. Forgive us for the fact that we could not protect you from this, "- RT quotes Putin's words. Vladimir Vladimirovich emphasized that both sportsmen and sports fans should understand that Russia supported and supports the idea of ??pure sport. "We will do everything to protect those who suffered," - promised the president and advised athletes to throw out of my head superfluous thoughts.

"Concentrate on the fact that you are supported by the millions of fans who love you and are waiting for your victories," the athletes Putin. Winter Olympic Games 2018 will be held in Korean Phenchhane from 9 to 25 February. Due to the doping scandal, the International Olympic Committee forbade the Russians to perform at the Games under the national flag. Athletes also can not demonstrate Russian symbols on the sports form, and the fans lost the right to greet the flag from the stands.