22 May 2012

No drinking for Russians during the Olympics

7:47 am on 22 May 2012

Members of the Russian team and delegation attending the 2012 London Olympics are to be banned from drinking alcohol during the competition.

A spokesman for the Russian deputy Prime Minister says Olympic values are not compatible with alcohol.

According to the newspaper report, the Russian Olympic Committee will not even be allowed to toast the health of medal-winning athletes.

The decision was taken due to the "disastrous results" of the Russian team at the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver where they achieved just 14 medals out of a predicted tally of up to 50.

On the other hand, the Russian receptions in Vancouver were the noisiest according to the newspaper, recalling one particular evening when two imitation petrol pumps were installed serving vodka and whisky for guests.

Alcohol abuse kills an estimated half a million people annually in Russia with the life expectancy of Russian men below that of developing nations such as Bangladesh or Honduras, according to official figures.