Impact of Russia-Ukraine War on sports worldwide

[Sylvia]

Statement published on FIFA's website today:

FIFA/UEFA suspend Russian clubs and national teams from all competitions

Following the initial decisions adopted by the FIFA Council and UEFA Executive Committee, FIFA and UEFA have decided together that all Russian teams - national or club - be suspended from participation in FIFA and UEFA competitions until further notice.

www.fifa.com

Monday, 28 February 2022, 12:30 (local time)

Following the initial decisions adopted by the FIFA Council and the UEFA Executive Committee, which envisaged the adoption of additional measures, FIFA and UEFA have today decided together that all Russian teams, whether national representative teams or club teams, shall be suspended from participation in both FIFA and UEFA competitions until further notice. These decisions were adopted today by the Bureau of the FIFA Council and the Executive Committee of UEFA, respectively the highest decision-making bodies of both institutions on such urgent matters. Football is fully united here and in full solidarity with all the people affected in Ukraine. Both Presidents hope that the situation in Ukraine will improve significantly and rapidly so that football can again be a vector for unity and peace amongst people.

 

[allezfred]

I will watch The World Cup, even though I never watch it. With Canada potentially in it, I probably would have watched it. But I will watch one full game that does not involve Canada.

The World Cup is taking place in that noted bastion of human rights Qatar.

 

[skatingguy]

The World Cup is taking place in that noted bastion of human rights Qatar.

And this stat is from 18 months ago.

Deaths in Qatar: 6,500 Migrant Workers Have Died Constructing 2022 World Cup Site​

To build seven new stadiums, a new airport, dozens of hotels and an entirely new city that will host the World Cup Final, the country hired workers from, among other countries, India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. In the 10 years since earning the controversial bid, an average of 12 workers from those five countries have died per week.

6,500 Migrants Have Died Constructing Qatar World Cup Site

In this weekend's hot clicks: 6,500 migrants have died constructing the 2022 World Cup site, March Madness PSA and more

www.si.com

 

[slicekw]

I'm torn. On one hand Putin apparently believes domination in sports by Russia is important to over all domination of the world (ie he rewards them for making Mother Russia on top).

On the other, are the athletes who have trained (cleanly) and live their sport. I'm thinking Tiff and Jon @taz'smum

I agree. Putin definitely used the weeks of the Olympics to build his position, but there was no way that he was going to attack before the end of the Olys. It matters too much to him personally to see his athletes win medals.

It's hard seeing people who have worked hard not get to perform. OTOH, sometimes we all are called upon to step outside of our lives. This may be one of those times for these athletes.

 

[Platypus]

And this stat is from 18 months ago.

Deaths in Qatar: 6,500 Migrant Workers Have Died Constructing 2022 World Cup Site​

6,500 Migrants Have Died Constructing Qatar World Cup Site

In this weekend's hot clicks: 6,500 migrants have died constructing the 2022 World Cup site, March Madness PSA and more

www.si.com

This is why as much of a footy fan as I am, I am boycotting this World Cup. I won't watch any games, which totally sucks as a Canadian with the possibility that we might finally qualify for our first one since 1984.

But this leads to my question, is there a point where we need to stop absolving the athletes themselves of any and all repsonsibility for standing up and saying no more, they will no longer compete in these countries with humans rights issues?

 

[Sylvia]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1498351682668965891

AP article:

Ukrainian tennis player won't play Russian unless tours act

NEW YORK (AP) — Top-seeded Elina Svitolina, a 27-year-old professional tennis player from Ukraine, says she will withdraw from the Monterrey Open rather than face a Russian opponent at the Mexican tournament unless tennis's governing bodies follow the International Olympic Committee’s lead and insis

apnews.com

Svitolina wrote Monday on Twitter that she did not want to play her opening-round contest against Anastasia Potapova “nor any other match against Russian or Belarussian tennis players until” the WTA women’s tour, ATP men’s tour and International Tennis Federation “follow the recommendations of the IOC” and bar those countries’ competitors from using any national symbols, colors, flags or anthems. [...]
Svitolina is a two-time Grand Slam semifinalist with 16 career tour-level singles titles who has been ranked as high as No. 3 and is currently No. 15.
Another tennis player from Ukraine, 32-year-old Lesia Tsurenko, wrote on Twitter that she and others “would like to express our great surprise and dissatisfaction with the lack of any response to the situation with our Motherland.”

 

[Allskate]

It's hard seeing people who have worked hard not get to perform.

Yes. As Lilia Podkopayeva pointed out, Ukrainian Gymnasts do not have the opportunity to continue training and preparation and and take part in tournaments and championships. Because they are in bomb shelters or fleeing for their lives.

 

[MacMadame]

Legally I don’t think the ISU can bar the Russian Federation athletes from competing.

Lots of other sports federations are doing it. There must be a way.

Not through the ISU, but through WADA but there are ways around it. For example, a country is responsible for testing not only its own athletes that train in the country out of competition, but also the athletes of other competitions, so in theory a country could reduce the number of times they have to test their own athletes by testing foreign athletes that train in the country.

Russia has no WADA-certified labs though. That's why they sent Valieva's sample to Sweden.

 

[AxelAnnie]

Legally I don’t think the ISU can bar the Russian Federation athletes from competing.

Well using Legally in the same sentence as Russian Federation is kind of funny.
And of course the ISU can if they want.

 

[Desperado]

Vladimir Putin's Black Belt Revoked by International Taekwondo Organization​

https://www.newsweek.com/vladimir-p...-international-taekwondo-organization-1683304

I always thought it was fake but I didn’t know it was honorary, as in he didn’t even try to get a real one. The International Judo Federation also withdrew his Honorary Presidency.

 

[skatingguy]

Russia has no WADA-certified labs though. That's why they sent Valieva's sample to Sweden.

Yes, I'm aware. RUSADA still decides who they test within Russia.

 

[Amy L]

The Channel One Cup has been postponed. They are calling the reason due to "force majeure". Channel One is funded by the Russian government, and YouTube has taken away their monetization, so I'm guessing they're going through a lot of financial pain right now. The posters on the Russian board where I got the article have been saying that Channel One has taken off most of their non news-programming so it's not surprising for anyone.

 

[Karen-W]

The Channel One Cup has been postponed. They are calling the reason due to "force majeure". Channel One is funded by the Russian government, and YouTube has taken away their monetization, so I'm guessing they're going through a lot of financial pain right now. The posters on the Russian board where I got the article have been saying that Channel One has taken off most of their non news-programming so it's not surprising for anyone.

Guess we don't have to wonder anymore whether or not Nathan was slated to attend or not, lol.

 

[MacMadame]

Yes, I'm aware. RUSADA still decides who they test within Russia.

Well I bet those outside labs aren't going to take their samples now. So it's all moot.

 

[Sylvia]

Statement today by the International Ice Hockey Federation (based in Zurich, Switzerland):

IIHF - IIHF Council takes definitive action over Russia, Belarus

Russian, Belarusian national teams suspended until further notice

www.iihf.com

During an extra-ordinary meeting held on Monday, 28 February, the IIHF Council evaluated the impact of the current war. The IIHF strongly condemns the use of military force and urges the use of diplomatic means to solve conflict.

The IIHF Council has decided to take the following actions:

-Suspension of all Russian and Belarusian National Teams and Clubs from participation in every age category and in all IIHF competitions or events until further notice

-Withdrawal of the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship hosting rights from Russia
These two actions have been initiated by the Council in order to enable the IIHF to ensure the safety of IIHF Championships and all participating players, officials, and fans.

Under the current conditions, this decision would have an impact on the following events:

2022 IIHF Continental Cup (4-6 March 2022)
-Belarus club team HK Gomel would not participate

2022 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 World Championship (21 April-01 May 2022)
-Russia and Belarus men’s U18 teams would not participate

2022 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship (13-29 May 2022)
-ROC and Belarus men’s national teams would not participate

2022 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 Women’s World Championship (Dates TBD)
-Russia women’s U18 national team would not participate

2022 IIHF World Junior Championship (Dates TBD)
-Russia men’s U20 national team would not participate

2022 IIHF Ice Hockey Women’s World Championship (26 August-4 September 2022)
-ROC women’s national team would not participate

Any potential sportive impact of the Council decision on tournament seeding and promotion/relegation will be announced in the coming weeks.

The 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship was scheduled to take place from 26 December 2022 to 5 January 2023. The IIHF will initiate discussions in the coming months to find a new host for the event.

The decision to relocate the event was taken primarily out of concern for the health and well-being of all participating players, officials, and fans. The IIHF Council also expressed deep concerns over the safe freedom of movement of players and officials to, from, and within Russia. The IIHF Council also took into account the Russian government’s breach of the Olympic Truce, which was adopted in December 2021 as a UN resolution by United Nations General Assembly. The breach of the Olympic Truce led to a condemnation by the International Olympic Committee’s Executive Board last week.

The IIHF Council has not left out the possibility of further actions impacting future events or other IIHF activities but hopes above all for a swift and peaceful resolution to the war.

“The IIHF is not a political entity and cannot influence the decisions being taken over the war in Ukraine,” said IIHF President Luc Tardif. “We nevertheless have a duty of care to all of our members and participants and must therefore do all we can to ensure that we are able to operate our events in a safe environment for all teams taking part in the IIHF World Championship program.”

“We were incredibly shocked to see the images that have come out of Ukraine,” added Tardif. “I have been in close contact with members of the Ice Hockey Federation of Ukraine and we hope for all Ukrainians that this conflict can be resolved in a peaceful way and without the need for further violence.”

 

[Seerek]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1498351682668965891

AP article:

Ukrainian tennis player won't play Russian unless tours act

NEW YORK (AP) — Top-seeded Elina Svitolina, a 27-year-old professional tennis player from Ukraine, says she will withdraw from the Monterrey Open rather than face a Russian opponent at the Mexican tournament unless tennis's governing bodies follow the International Olympic Committee’s lead and insis

apnews.com

As the ATP/WTA are distinct entities from the ITF (Davis Cup/Billie Jean King Cup/Grand Slams), it'll be interesting to see if either or both tours will do anything more substantial (given that they're both not technically "International Federations)

March had Indian Wells and Miami scheduled .

 

[Elka]

Norwegian cross-country sponsor is very angry that FIS is allowing Russians and Belorussians take part in World Cup in Norway. They are now changing their logo having colours of Ukrainian flag. (Scroll down and you see the new logo of coop every participant shall have in their number.

Sponsoren tar Ukraina-grep: – Håper det er nok til at russerne ikke vil gå

Hovedsponsoren for verdenscupen i langrenn oppfordrer FIS til å gjøre om avgjørelsen om at Russland får delta i Drammen og Holmenkollen. Aleksandr Bolsjunov & co. må gå med de ukrainske fargene i Coop-logoen på startnumrene om de stiller.

www.aftenposten.no

ETA: They hoped that it would be enough to get the Russians to withdraw, and it was.

 

[miffy]

As the ATP/WTA are distinct entities from the ITF (Davis Cup/Billie Jean King Cup/Grand Slams), it'll be interesting to see if either or both tours will do anything more substantial (given that they're both not technically "International Federations)

March had Indian Wells and Miami scheduled .

I can’t see them doing it in tennis. Possibly the WTA (after they pulled out of events in China) - but I don’t see the ATP banning Medvedev, Rublev, etc.

Then again I didn’t think the ISU would do it so I’ll probably be wrong here too.

 

[Yehudi]

I think they’ll ban the federation and they won’t be allowed to play Fed Cup/Davis Cup. Back when South Africa was banned, there were still South African players on the tour, notably Kevin Curran, who were able to play by claiming residency/citizenship in another country.

 

[slicekw]

Yes. As Lilia Podkopayeva pointed out, Ukrainian Gymnasts do not have the opportunity to continue training and preparation and and take part in tournaments and championships. Because they are in bomb shelters or fleeing for their lives.

Exactly my point as to why I don't believe Russian athletes should be competing. Hard to believe it took only 90 years for someone to start land-grabbing so violently in Europe again.

 

[Rafter]

I think they’ll ban the federation and they won’t be allowed to play Fed Cup/Davis Cup. Back when South Africa was banned, there were still South African players on the tour, notably Kevin Curran, who were able to play by claiming residency/citizenship in another country.

As a tennis fan I’ve been thinking a lot about Rublev and Med over the last few days. I’m assuming that if the ATP bans Russian players, they will seek out Monaco or Spain to represent.

 

[miffy]

As a tennis I’ve been thinking a lot about Rublev and Med over the last few days. I’m assuming that if the ATP bans Russian players, they will seek out Monaco or Spain to represent.

Me too.

Medvedev nearly played for Kazakhstan at one point, and his family have lived in France for a long time, not sure if he or they have citizenship. Rublev is part Austrian, again not sure about citizenship.

I wonder if ATP are taking their time saying or doing anything to help the top players work out what to do?

 

[Sylvia]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1498722367874416644

Direct link: https://twitter.com/benrothenberg/status/1498722367874416644?s=21

Rothenberg’s next tweet: https://twitter.com/benrothenberg/status/1498724630743461894?s=21

Breaking again, from tours + Slams:

“At this time, players from Russia and Belarus will continue to be allowed to compete in international tennis events on Tour and at Grand Slams. However, they will not compete under the name or flag of Russia or Belarus until further notice.”

ETA:

Joint Statement by the International Governing Bodies of Tennis | ATP Tour | Tennis

The international governing bodies of tennis stand united in condemnation of Russia’s actions and, as a result, are in agreement with the following decisions and actions.

www.atptour.com

A deep sense of distress, shock and sadness has been felt across the entire tennis community following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in the past week. Our thoughts are with the people of Ukraine, and we commend the many tennis players who have spoken out and taken action against this unacceptable act of aggression. We echo their calls for the violence to end and peace to return.

The safety of the tennis community is our most immediate collective priority. The focus of the WTA and ATP in particular in recent days has been on contacting current and former players, and other members of the tennis community from Ukraine and neighbouring countries, to check on their safety and offer any assistance.

The international governing bodies of tennis stand united in our condemnation of Russia’s actions and, as a result, are in agreement with the following decisions and actions:

The WTA and ATP Boards have made the decision to suspend the WTA / ATP combined event, scheduled this October in Moscow.

The ITF Board has made the decision to suspend the Russian Tennis Federation and Belarus Tennis Federation membership and to withdraw their entries from all ITF international team competition until further notice. This action follows the cancellation of all ITF tournaments in Russia and Belarus indefinitely.

At this time, players from Russia and Belarus will continue to be allowed to compete in international tennis events on Tour and at the Grand Slams. However, they will not compete under the name or flag of Russia or Belarus until further notice.

 

[MacMadame]

Not sure if this has been posted yet:

World Triathlon bans participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials – World Triathlon

World Triathlon stands in absolute solidarity with the Ukraine triathlon family and the entire country at this time of grave international crisis. Followin

www.triathlon.org

 

[Garden Kitty]

Cycling has banned teams from Russia and Belarus, but riders from those countries that have contracts with foreign teams can continue to compete.

UCI bans Russian, Belarusian teams from competition 'until further notice'

Riders on foreign teams still free to compete but Gazprom-RusVelo lose UCI status

www.cyclingnews.com

In a statement issued on Tuesday evening, the UCI said that Russian and Belarusian cyclists who ride for teams from outside Russia and Belarus will still be permitted to compete. However, the UCI added that “all emblems, names, acronyms, flags and anthems linked to Russia and Belarus are prohibited at all events on the UCI International Calendar.”

 

[Karen-W]

Usmanov has been forced to step down as President of FIE (International Fencing Federation)

Oligarch Usmanov stands aside as FIE President in wake of EU sanctions

Alisher Usmanov has stepped down as President of the International Fencing Federation, after the European Union imposed economic sanctions on him over...

www.insidethegames.biz

 

[Hedwig]

In gymnastics in DOHA the Russian gymnasts will still compete but as neutral athlets apparently.
cannot find the source right now, read it on twitter this morning

 

[skatingguy]

In gymnastics in DOHA the Russian gymnasts will still compete but as neutral athlets apparently.
cannot find the source right now, read it on twitter this morning

FIG bans flags and anthems of Russia and Belarus in response to Ukraine invasion

The International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) has banned the flags and anthems of Russia and Belarus at all its competitions in response to Russia's i...

www.insidethegames.biz

 

[Gris]

Russian and Belarusian Players and Officials Not Allowed in ITTF Group Events - International Table Tennis Federation

ITTF Group Statement on 1st March 2022 The ITTF Group remains highly concerned by the outbreak of war in Ukraine. It expresses its solidarity with the people of Ukraine and wishes to send a powerful message of peace and unity to the entire world. The ITTF Executive Committee met on March 1st...

www.ittf.com

International Table Tennis Federation has banned Russian & Belarusian players and officials from ITTF Group events.

Therefore, until further notice, no Russian or Belarusian players and officials will be invited or allowed in events hosted by the ITTF Group, and no Russian or Belarusian national symbols, colours, flags, or anthems will be displayed. Please note no ITTF Group events are currently scheduled in Russia or Belarus.

 

[MacMadame]

Why are there Russian and Belarus athletes at the Paralympics???

Heart-wrenching reaction to Russian athletes in Paralympics

The International Paralympic Committee says Russians and Belarusians at the Winter Paralympics in Beijing will compete as “neutral athletes” because of their countries’ roles in the war against Ukraine.

apnews.com