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AP PHOTOS: Athletes, fans embrace flags as symbols of pride

PYEONGCHANG, South Korea (AP) - Flags play an integral role at the Olympics as symbols of national pride.

It all starts with the opening ceremony, where teams march in behind their flags. During competition, athletes drape themselves in their national colors.

Not to be outdone, fans unfurl large flags in the stands, wave them during the games and wear them on their faces or their clothing.

The lone exceptions are the "Olympic Athletes from Russia," who aren't allowed to wear their national colors.

But their fans back them up, bedecked in red and white and holding signs that spell their athletes' names.

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More AP Olympic coverage: https://wintergames.ap.org

North Korea supporters sing and wave flags ahead of the pairs free skate figure skating final in the Gangneung Ice Arena at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Gangneung, South Korea, Thursday, Feb. 15, 2018. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue, File) The Associated Press
Patrick Kearney wears an American flag as a cape during the quarterfinal round of the men's hockey game between the United States and the Czech Republic at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Gangneung, South Korea, Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2018. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File) The Associated Press
A fan of Russian athletes waves flags before the preliminary round of the men's hockey game between the team from Russia and the United States at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Gangneung, South Korea, Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez, File) The Associated Press
South Korea players wave flags as they skate around after the qualification round of the men's hockey game against Finland at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Gangneung, South Korea, Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2018. Finlandwon 5-2. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File) The Associated Press
A spectators wears a protective mask with the South Korean flag as he waits for the start of the men's 10,000 meters speedskating race at the Gangneung Oval at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Gangneung, South Korea, Thursday, Feb. 15, 2018. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek, File) The Associated Press
A spectator waves Japan's national flag prior to the women's 1,000 meters speedskating race at the Gangneung Oval at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Gangneung, South Korea, Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2018. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek, File) The Associated Press
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Fans wave flags during the third period of the preliminary round of the women's hockey game between Canada and Finland at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Gangneung, South Korea, Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II, File) The Associated Press
A spectator watches the first run of the men's giant slalom at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, Sunday, Feb. 18, 2018. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena, File) The Associated Press
Fans wave Swiss flags as they watch the men's downhill at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Jeongseon, South Korea, Thursday, Feb. 15, 2018. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File) The Associated Press
Spectators wave the national flag of Japan during the women's 1,000 meters speedskating race at the Gangneung Oval at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Gangneung, South Korea, Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2018. (AP Photo/John Locher, File) The Associated Press
Gold medal winner Sofia Goggia, of Italy, kneels before the podium during the flower ceremony for the women's downhill at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Jeongseon, South Korea, Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2018. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena) The Associated Press
The North Korean flag, left center, flies amongst flags from many nations as they fly at the Olympic Village at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Gangneung, South Korea, Thursday, Feb. 1, 2018. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File) The Associated Press
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