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Presence of suspected Russian dope cheats will mar Winter Olympics
TIM DAHLBERG argues that state-sponsored Russian doping was so extensive it will cast a long shadow over the Pyeongchang Games

THE North Koreans are coming in a surprising development that adds a bit of intrigue to the Winter Olympics.

The Russians are coming too and probably in greater numbers than most suspected in the wake of an official ban for running a doping scheme that made a mockery out of the last games in Sochi.

They won’t wear Russian uniforms and the country’s medal count won’t be tallied on the big board in Pyeongchang. There will be no playing of the Russian national anthem should they win gold medals, which they surely will.

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