The International Olympic Committee has banned Russia from competing at the 2018 Winter Games in Peyongchang.

(Lee-Jin Man/The Associated Press)

But the IOC is allowing individual Russian athletes ”under strict conditions” to compete as an athlete from the country without their national flag or anthem.

Russia could refuse and boycott the games which take place February 9-25.

President Vladimir Putin has said before that it would be humiliating to compete without national symbols.

The IOC’s also imposed a fine of $15-million on the Russian Olympic committee and imposed a lifetime Olympic ban on Russia’ Deputy Prime Minister Vitaly Mutko, organizer of the upcoming 2018 FIFA World Cup.

The ruling by the 14-member board comes three years following allegations of state-sponsored doping in Russia.

Moscow continues denying such system existed.

(Fabrice Coffrini AFP/Getty Images)

IOC President Thomas Bach called it an ”unprecedented attack” on the integrity of the Olympic Games and sport” and that ”this should draw a line under this damaging episode and serve as a catalyst for a more effective anti-doping system led by WADA (the World Anti-Doping Agency)”.