The Russian delegation's controversial participation in Winter Olympics

The 80 representatives of the Russian delegation marched under a neutral flag and without an anthem, due to allegations of doping, at the opening of the XXIII Winter Olympic Games.

A volunteer designated by the Games' organizing committee, held the Olympic flag during Russia's team parade, which consists of 168 invited athletes. The Games are being held in PyeongChang, South Korea.

Due to the suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee for corruption in their anti-doping system, only a selection of Russian athletes invited by the IOC can participate in these Games under a neutral flag.

The ban on the Russian flag and anthem in PyeongChang due to doping accusations by the state has not been well received in Russia, a winter sports superpower. They have labeled the decision as a "humiliation" and an "unprecedented" sanction in the history of the Olympic Games.

However, the country's authorities have decided not to boycott the Games in order to avoid harming the athletes whose participation in the competitions has been authorized by the IOC.