Putin apologizes for not 'shielding' Russian athletes from doping scandal

Now for a look at stories making headlines around the world and we start with Russia's ban from the upcoming PyeongChang Winter Games. President Vladimir Putin has apologized to athletes competing as neutrals for not protecting them from the fallout of a doping scandal that has rattled the country.For more on this and other news we turn to our Ro Aram….Aram… what else did Putin have to say? Well Semin… Putin took a more sympathetic tone and told athletes on Wednesday to ignore the doping scandal when they compete in PyeongChang. The International Olympic Committee had banned Russia from the Winter Games for alleged state-sponsored doping, but did invite 169 of the country's athletes, who passed the IOC's strict doping criteria, to compete under a neutral flag.Putin suggested that sports have become mixed up with politics and apologized for not being able to shield the athletes from that. "Forgive us, for we didn't manage to protect you from this. But neither you nor all the sports fans must have doubts that Russia always did and always will stand for and support the idea of clean sports in every way." He also reiterated his pledge to support those who could not take part in this month's Games.Several hockey players attending Wednesday's gave Putin a Russian jersey bearing his name and players' signatures along with the slogan "Russia in my heart." Several athletes wore their neutral jackets open to show a Russian-flag shirt underneath.They won't be allowed to display the flag in PyeongChang or accept Russian flags offered by fans, and the Olympic anthem will be played if they win. Meanwhile, 39 Russian athletes who received lifetime Olympic bans in the 2014 Sochi doping scandal will have their appeal verdicts announced by the Court of Arbitration for Sport on Thursday at 5 p.m., Korea time. Some of them hope to be cleared to compete despite Olympic entries closing last weekend.