Russian Olympic Committee decides to support Winter Games athletes

Moscow: The Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) has decided to support Russian athletes who choose to compete in next year`s Winter Games in South Korea, the RIA news agency reported on Tuesday.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) last week banned Russia from the Games, due to take place in Pyeongchang in February, for what it called "unprecedented systematic manipulation" of the anti-doping system.

(Also read: Russian athletes 'want to compete in Olympics': Official)

It left the door open for clean athletes to compete as neutrals.

(Also read: 2018 Winter Games alternative suggested for banned Russian athletes)

A ROC official said on Monday most Russian athletes still wanted to attend, even as neutrals.