Ricco Gross is confident that the Russian national team will take part in the 2018 Winter Olympics despite the alarming security situation in South Korea’s Pyeongchang, the doping-related accusations against Russian athletes and the recent penalties from the International Olympic Committee (IOC). “We will go to South Korea,” the Russian team’s coach said optimistically. Gross stated that since 2015, when he started his work as a coach in Russia, there has been consistent improvement in the achievements of his team, and he hopes that this trend will continue in the upcoming Olympic season. “Our highlight was the competition in Hochfilzen (Austria) last year, where we became world champions. It was a tremendous pleasure to defeat all other participants at that moment,” Gross stated. © Sputnik / Anton DenisovIOC Strips Russia of 21 Medals Gained at 2008, 2012 Olympics After Retesting SamplesAccording to the coach, the training process in Russia is very similar to that in Germany. However, there are also a few differences that have to be mentioned. “Basically, we train running and shooting — just like in Germany. What really differs is that in Germany there is very good training at the sport bases, whereas in Russia the preference is given to the system of training camps and workshops. We [in Germany] definitely have more training courses. The advantage is that athletes are always together, and…