Russia's Olympic ban lifted by the IOC

Update 3.30pm: Russia's Olympic suspension has been lifted with immediate effect by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Russia was banned from the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang due to state-sponsored doping, although a total of 168 Russians were permitted to compete as part of a neutral Olympic Athlete from Russia (OAR) team.

On Wednesday the IOC said it had received all the remaining test results from the OAR delegation and confirmed that all were negative.

The IOC executive board decided on February 25 that the Russian Olympic Committee would have its suspension lifted in this scenario.

Original story (1.53pm): Russia claims their Olympic ban has been lifted by the IOC

The head of Russia's Olympic Committee claims their Olympic ban has been lifted.

The country was suspended from competing as a team at the Winter Games in South Korea following systematic doping violations.

Russian athletes had to get through screening to compete under a neutral flag.

Russia's Olympic Committee chief Alexander Zhukov says Russia's membership has been reinstated.

However, there's no official confirmation yet from the International Olympic Committee.

-PA and Digital desk