Breaking news: Russia banned from 2020 Olympics

The Olympic flag and the Russian flag flying during the Closing Ceremony of the Sochi Winter Olympics at the Olympic Stadium in Sochi. But it will not be flying in major sporting events including the 2020 Olympics for a total of four years. - AFP

LAUSANNE ( Switzerland): The Russian flag and national anthem were banned from next year's Tokyo Olympics and other major sports events for four years on Monday (Dec 9).

Russia's hosting of world championships in Olympic sports also face being stripped after the World Anti-Doping Agency executive committee approved a full slate of recommended sanctions as punishment for state authorities tampering with a Moscow laboratory database.