'We will only compete under the Russian flag'

As background, it is possible that the Russian gymnastics team may be affected by an IOC ban of all Russian sports, because of evidence of state-sponsored doping.  But gymnastics, along with ten other sports, is not mentioned in the McLaren Report into this evidence.  Gymnastics' governing body, the FIG, has made public that it has clean tests for all of the gymnasts.  It is hoped that the IOC will take a decision to allow clean sports to participate in the Games.  It has been mooted that this might be under a neutral, Olympic flag.  Since the CAS ruling this morning that the blanket ban imposed by the IAAF on Russian athletics is lawful, it is considered less likely that exemptions to the ban will be policed on an individual athlete basis.

TASS has published some brief statements about this -

 

- For me it is crucial to act under the Russian flag. I was born here and I will defend it, - said the captain of the men's gymnastics team Nikolai Kuksenkov

 

- We can't really talk about this, but we will be very upset if the wrong decision is taken.  At the same time, we are optimistic and believe that good sense will prevail in the IOC.  But it will be hard for us to compete under another flag, we do not want to compete under the IOC flag, said the coach.

 

- We need to close our eyes to these things and just do our job.  Despite all the difficulties, we need to overcome it and we will be rewarded. We will only compete for Russia, - said Aliya Mustafina, captain of the women's team artistic gymnastics.

 

Source: tass.ru/sport/3474804

In another TASS interview, Aliya has said - 

The hype around the team will not affect my mood because I have not read the news.  My main goal is to help the team.  I have not looked at the internet.  I have a goal simply to fight to the end, if we are finally allowed to be there.  If not - I will be very upset, but I still need to work to the final moment..

http://tass.ru/sport/3475083