Russians threaten to pull out

The Associated Press

Originally published Friday, February 22, 2002

SALT LAKE CITY -- Angered by a string of decisions against its athletes, Russia threatened Thursday to pull out of the Winter Olympics and might not compete in the Athens Games if its concerns are not addressed.

Russian Olympic Committee president Leonid Tyagachev said he told IOC president Jacques Rogge that his nation was "greatly unappreciated" in the Olympics.

The comments came at a news conference just hours after one of the nation's top athletes, cross-country skier Larissa Lazutina, was disqualified from the 20-kilometer relay because of high levels of hemoglobin found in a pre-race blood test.

"If decisions are not made and issues we raised not resolved, the Russian team will not play hockey, will not run 30 kilometers, will look very negatively on other factors," Tyagachev said.

He said that if Russia left Salt Lake City it probably would not compete in Athens in the next Summer Games.

"Once you leave, it is not easy to come back in," he said.

Later, Vitaly Smirnov, an IOC vice president from Russia, tempered Tyagachev's remarks, saying there was no ultimatum "not 24 hours or 48 hours."

However, he said the Russian team wanted Rogge to write a letter to Tyagachev "and address our concerns."

IOC officials were meeting to discuss the complaints, but did not immediately comment.

The Russian men's hockey team is scheduled to play the United States in the semifinals today.

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