Russia won’t be able to compete under its name, flag and anthem at major sporting events, including the Olympics, over the next two years, including the Olympics. The nation won’t be able to host major events, either.
That’s a reprieve from the original four-year ban the nation faced for a state-sponsored doping scheme that affected at least three Olympics, before it appealed to the Lausanne-based Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Russian athletes who are not suspected of doping will still be allowed to compete at upcoming events for a neutral team of some sort. The name “Russia” will still appear on uniforms, and the flag’s colors will also be allowed.
U.S. anti-doping head Travis Tygart called the decision “devastating.”
Russia will have to pay the World Anti-Doping Agency $1.27 million to cover investigation costs, and was also fined $100,000 and ordered to pay 400,000 Swiss francs ($452,000) toward legal costs.
Including the Soviet Union and neutral athlete medals, Russia is the second most-decorated nation in Olympic history behind the U.S. and most recently hosted the Winter Games in 2014.