As Russian soldiers advanced farther into Ukraine on Friday, sporting organizations moved fast to deny Russia access to events. St Petersburg lost the Champions League final and the Formula One Grand Prix is not taking place in Sochi.
Following President Vladimir Putin’s declaration of war, Russia launched an invasion by land, air, and sea on Thursday. An estimated 100,000 people were fleeing as explosions and gunfire shook major cities.
Russia must not be allowed to exploit sporting and cultural events
After getting support from French President Emmanuel Macron, European soccer governing body UEFA agreed to move the Champions League final to the Stade de France in Paris. It is the club soccer’s pinnacle event. The Kremlin was unhappy by the decision, but UK Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries applauded it.
“Russia must not be allowed to exploit sporting and cultural events on the world stage to legitimize its unprovoked, premeditated, and needless attack against a sovereign democratic state,” Dorries said.
Formula One, the regulatory body of motorsport, the FIA, and the teams addressed the situation. They concluded that it was “impossible to hold the Russian Grand Prix in the current circumstances”. The race, which debuted in 2014, was going to take place on Sept. 25 at Sochi’s Olympic Park. Both former champion Sebastian Vettel and incumbent champion Max Verstappen remarked on Thursday that racing in Russia was “wrong.”
UEFA said that home games of Ukrainian and Russian clubs and national teams competing in UEFA competitions would happen at neutral stadiums. It came after Poland, Sweden, and the Czech Republic refused to play World Cup qualifiers in Russia.
Relocate or cancel competitions
The International Olympic Committee has advised international sports federations to relocate or cancel competitions already scheduled in Russia and Belarus.
International Judo Federation (IJF) announced that its Grand Slam event scheduled for May 20-22 in Kazan, Russia, will not take place. But IJF President Marius Vizer made no mention of Russia or Ukraine in a brief statement.
“The International Judo Federation announces with regret the cancellation of the 2022 Grand Slam in Kazan, Russia,” said Vizer. He has longstanding ties with Putin, a judoka himself. https://drlauryn.com
“We are saddened by the current international situation, the result of an inefficient dialogue at the international level.”
When the invasion began on Thursday, Russian forces entered Ukraine through Belarus. The IOC also stated that the flags of the two countries should not be on display at sports events.
The International Ski Federation (FIS) has canceled or rescheduled five World Cup skiing events. They had plans to take place in Russia this weekend and next month in the interest of the competition’s safety and integrity.
“Participants are already on-site at the two World Cup events that were planned for this weekend and FIS is working closely with the involved stakeholders to ensure their quick return back home,” it said.
Sports and Politics should remain seperate
However, other organizations were hesitant to deprive Russia of events. The International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) stated that preparations for the men’s world championship, which will happen in Russia in August, were on track.
“While the FIVB believes that sport should always remain separate from politics, we are closely monitoring the situation to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all participants at our events which is our top priority,” the FIVB told Reuters.
The FIVB did not specify whether the Russian volleyball federation will face any consequences.
Manchester United of the English Premier League has announced that they have terminated their sponsorship agreement with Russian airline Aeroflot. Aeroflot’s international carrier authorization got a ban on Thursday, preventing it from flying to the United Kingdom.
Impossible to continue in Russia
Jokerit, a Finnish ice hockey team, announced the end of their Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) season ahead of the playoffs next month.
The team has always qualified for the playoffs. But club chairman Jari Kurri stated that continuing their season in the Russian-based league was “impossible.”
This year, the International Tennis Federation has tournaments in Russia and Ukraine. It did, however, take steps to postpone a World Tennis Tour competition set for April in Ukraine.
The Chess Olympiad and FIDE Congress will not happen in Moscow later this year. According to the International Chess Federation (FIDE), it is doing its “utmost to find another organizer for the Olympiad.”
The World Curling Federation Board also called an emergency meeting and canceled the European Curling Championships slated for May in Perm, Russia.
FINA, the world governing body of swimming, has likewise canceled a men’s water polo World League match in St. Petersburg next month, as well as an Artistic Swimming and Diving World Series event in Kazan slated for April.
The European Aquatics Board has also postponed competitions in Russia, including a women’s water polo Euro League quarter-final game, to a date and location to be specified.
