The International Olympic Committee, or IOC, has banned Russia from the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea. Some Russian athletes, however, can participate in the games as an Olympic Athlete from Russia, or OAR. The IOC found systemic manipulation of the anti-doping rules and system in Russia. Doping refers to the illegal use of a drug (such as a steroid) to improve an athlete's performance. Russian officials have denied any state involvement in the doping of athletes. This is the first time in Olympic history that the IOC has suspended a country for doping. The IOC had banned countries from the Olympics before, including Germany, South Africa, India, and Kuwait. Previous suspensions were for acts of war, state-sponsored discrimination, or failure to meet Olympic charter requirements.