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European Athletics published a statement against the Russian invasion on its website on Monday.
“European Athletics stands with Ukraine and all international sports federations in condemning the deplorable ongoing Russian military action in Ukraine.”
Russia seems to be alienating itself from the rest of the world as many international events that were to take place in Russia have been cancelled. And other sports organisation including World Athletics have spoken out against the incursion.
European Athletics stands with Ukraine and all international sports federations in condemning the deplorable ongoing Russian military action in Ukraine.
— European Athletics (@EuroAthletics) February 28, 2022
Full statement.
“World Athletics is appalled by developments in Ukraine and condemns the Russian military invasion,” World Athletics wrote in a statement.
President Sebastian Coe has offered World Athletics senior vice-president Sergey Bubka, who is Ukrainian, and the Ukrainian Athletics Federation “whatever practical support we can give.”
European Athletics President, Dobromir Karamarinov, sent a letter of support (see here) to Ukrainian Athletic Federation Acting President, Yevhen Pronin, and held several phone calls with him and former presidents Ravil Safiullin and Ihor Hotsul, as well as Sergey Bubka, Senior Vice President of World Athletics.
Friday, the International Olympic Committee urged sports bodies to cancel or move events that they may have had planned to hold in Russia and to stop using the Russian flag and its national anthem.
Formula One said it would drop its Russian Grand Prix. The event was scheduled to take place in September in the Black Sea resort of Sochi. Sochi was home to perhaps the dirtiest Winter Olympics all time.
Poland, Sweden, and the Czech Republic refused to play World Cup qualifiers in Russia, the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) said national teams competing in UEFA competitions would be played at neutral venues.
However, there were some who were reluctant to move events. The international volleyball federation (FIVB) leaving the men’s world championship in Russia this August remain.
FIFA has not cancelled the World Cup yet. However, they are not permitting the Russian flag.
Cezary Kulesza, head of the Polish FA, said “Poland will still refuse to play against Russia.”
“FIFA’s decision today is unacceptable to us,” Kulesza said, via The Athletic. “In the situation of war in Ukraine, we are not interested in the game of appearances. Our position remains unchanged: the national team Polish will not play against Russia in the play-off match, regardless of the name of the Russian team.”
