Team GB flag-bearer Lizzy Yarnold: I’ll look to the floor if I see Russian rivals in Pyeongchang

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British flag-bearer Lizzy Yarnold will not be able to look Russian athletes in the eye if the Court of Arbitration for Sport backs their appeals.

The ad hoc division of CAS in Pyeongchang has heard a litany of Russian appeals over their exclusion from the Games by the IOC and a final decision will be taken at 11am local time tomorrow.

Should CAS overturn the ruling, that could put Yarnold into direct contact with rival Russian skeleton racers Elena Nikitina and Maria Orlova.

The 29-year-old defending champion said: “I enjoyed having conversations with Elena and Maria but now, whenever I see them, I will look at the floor and carry on.

“I’ve worked too hard to allow someone to draw me into a situation I don’t want to be in. So, my emotional state with certain Russian athletes is to have no emotion.”

CAS today announced they had rejected the appeals of 13 Russians - six athletes and seven entourage members - and an official decision will be made over the remaining 47 tomorrow. That would include both Nikitina and Orlova.

In Pictures | PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympic Games: Skeleton

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Yarnold has been outspoken against doping and today after being announced as the flag-bearer for the British team at tomorrow’s opening ceremony, admitted the situation still sits uneasily with her.

“When it comes to competition, it is difficult if the Russians will be here,” she said. “I believe the IOC were correct in not inviting them.”

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