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.

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

A fan waves a flag of Russia before the quarterfinal round of the men's hockey game between Norway and the team from Russia at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Gangneung, South Korea, Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2018. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

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)

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)

North Korean fans wave flags at the women's slalom at Yongpyong alpine center at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2018. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

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)

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)

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)

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 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)

This gallery was curated by AP photo editors Alyssa Goodman and Peter Morgan in Pyeongchang, South Korea.

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