Impact of Russia-Ukraine War on sports worldwide

[reut]

IOC announces tender process for the sale of media rights in Europe​

The communication originally published on 24 February 2022 included, in addition to the above countries, Belarus and the Russian Federation. The media rights within these countries have now been suspended from the tender process.

https://olympics.com/ioc/news/ioc-announces-tender-process-for-the-sale-of-media-rights-in-europe

 

[Sylvia]

Bach issues warning to athletes who support Russian invasion of Ukraine:

Bach issues warning to athletes who support Russian invasion of Ukraine

International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach has issued a warning to athletes who support Russia’s military assault on Ukraine, insisting the...

www.insidethegames.biz

International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach has issued a warning to athletes who support Russia’s military assault on Ukraine, insisting they will "draw the necessary consequences".
Bach backed the actions of International Swimming Federation (FINA) and the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) which banned athletes who pledged their support of Russia's invasion of Ukraine during the German official's opening speech at the IOC Session here.
Russian gymnast Ivan Kuliak received a one-year ban from the Gymnastics Ethics Foundation for wearing the "Z" symbol demonstrating support for the invasion of Ukraine during an FIG Apparatus World Cup in Doha.
Double Olympic swimming champion Evgeny Rylov of Russia was banned by FINA from all of competitions for nine months after he attended a a pro-war rally held by the country’s President Vladimir Putin.
"We are monitoring closely who is supporting this war with their statements or actions and have drawn and will draw the necessary consequences," said Bach.
"This has been demonstrated for example by FINA and FIG, who have sanctioned athletes that have expressed such support for the war.

"In judging this, we also have to realise that in Russia there is a law in place threatening anyone who speaks out against the war with up to 15 years in prison.
"Therefore, we can appreciate that, under such circumstances, silence in itself can be a message.
"Our guiding principle is peace.
"The Olympic Games, which unite the entire world in peaceful competition, are a powerful symbol of peace.
"But in order to unite the entire world, Olympic sport needs the participation of all the athletes who accept the rules, even and especially if their countries are in confrontation or at war.
"A competition between athletes from only like-minded nations is not a credible symbol of peace.
"And it is certainly not in line with our mission."
Following the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, backed by Belarus, on February 24, the IOC called on all International Federations (IFs) to ban Russian and Belarusian athletes from competing in events and stop the two nations from staging competitions.

Bach says Russia ban is to protect athletes, not punish them (Associated Press):

Bach says Russia ban is to protect athletes, not punish them

GENEVA (AP) — Russian athletes and officials who have been banned from international sports because of the war in Ukraine are being protected rather than punished, International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said Friday.

apnews.com

Sanctions should only apply to “those responsible for something,” Bach said, explaining why the IOC withdrew its Olympic Order honor from Russian officials — though he did not say Russian President Vladimir Putin’s name — and advised sports to relocate events that Russia was to host.

Bach distanced himself from Putin, with whom he was publicly close around the Sochi Olympics. Those Winter Games were marred by a state-backed doping program in Russia.
″(The IOC’s) relationship with the Russian political leadership has dramatically deteriorated over the past years,” Bach said, citing the doping scandal, cyberattacks by Russian hackers and “even personal threats to individuals,” which he did not specify.
Bach moved to protect Russia’s active and honorary IOC members, who were allowed to take part online in Friday’s meeting. They include two-time Olympic pole vault champion Yelena Isinbayeva, who is an officer in the Russian army.
The IOC has not suspended those Russian members who have not publicly criticized the war.

The above articles are based on Thomas Bach's press conference today (May 20) - replay is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YbBeEo12Y2M

 

[caseyedwards]

That’s insane. Putin is an evil dictator who murders and jails many many opponents of him and his policies while forcing others who get government funding to support him but Bach demands and is trying to order all Russian athletes to become people like Boris nemtsov or Alexei navalny. Bach is trying to get as many Russian athletes killed or jailed as he can

Silence is not really an option. It’s support or die or flee Russia altogether

 

[antmanb]

So back in April Wimbledon decided to ban all Russian and Belarussian tennis players from the Tournament: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/61161016

In response, then the ATP and WTA have withdrawn all ranking points for Wimbledon:https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/61401519?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=KARANGA

There have been mixed responses to both the ban and withdrawal of points.

 

[airgelaal]

Ukrainian athletes who died in this war. 47 people. There will be more

ЯНГОЛИ СПОРТУ

Реквієм за загиблими українськими спортсменами

yangoly-sportu.teamukraine.com.ua

 

[Sylvia]

Russian, Belarusian athletes banned from track worlds barring end to war in Ukraine (June 2 via AP): https://www.cbc.ca/sports/olympics/...-worlds-russians-belarusians-banned-1.6474933

Barring a sudden, unexpected end to the war in Ukraine, athletes from Russia and Belarus will be banned from next month's track and field world championships, which marks the largest international sports event since the end of the Winter Olympics and Paralympics.
...
... there will be no Russians among the 1,800 or so athletes who will descend on Hayward Field in Eugene [Oregon] next month. The World Athletics Council meets in conjunction with the championships, though any changes it might make at that meeting would almost certainly be too late to allow the Russians into the event.

 

[airgelaal]

Olympic champion high jumper Maria Lasitskene from russia wrote an open letter IOC President Thomas Bach

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The same old song: its unfair and bla-bla-bla
Her Ukrainian colleague Yulia Levchenko wrote a perfect comment: "You are not allowed to compete because you are a Russian?! AND THEY ARE KILLING US, simply BECAUSE WE ARE UKRAINIANS!!! Feel the difference?!"

It is strange why no one writes letters to putin... Indeed, what does putin have to do with russian citizens and their problems.

 

[reut]

Someone made a full translation of Yulia's very passionate answer:

https://twitter.com/yuzutenchi/status/1534958914248245251

Saw just now an interview with Ukrainian minister of youth and sports. He said that indeed it seems and feels that russia is trying to push on all possible buttons and all possible people in various federations to get russian athletes back to compete. But he said he'll work on that with his colleagues from all over the world, also ministers of sports and people who support this ban and they will definitely make sure this ban stays. Btw he mentioned there that he doesn't mind athletes who openly condemn this war and ask to stop it to take part in the competitions.

 

[Asli]

Ukrainian athletes who died in this war. 47 people. There will be more

I have no words. I am so, so sorry!

 

[Asli]

Olympic champion high jumper Maria Lasitskene from russia wrote an open letter IOC President Thomas Bach

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Wow! Agressive from the start to finish. Poor Lasitskene is wronged and misunderstood! Consider Thomas Bach put into his place!

 

[airgelaal]

Someone made a full translation of Yulia's very passionate answer:

https://twitter.com/yuzutenchi/status/1534958914248245251

Saw just now an interview with Ukrainian minister of youth and sports. He said that indeed it seems and feels that russia is trying to push on all possible buttons and all possible people in various federations to get russian athletes back to compete. But he said he'll work on that with his colleagues from all over the world, also ministers of sports and people who support this ban and they will definitely make sure this ban stays. Btw he mentioned there that he doesn't mind athletes who openly condemn this war and ask to stop it to take part in the competitions.

Andriy Shevchenko launched a campaign calling for a boycott of Russian athletes. Very powerful video

Andriy Shevchenko and 1+1 media group launch a campaign with a call for boycotting Russian athletes

Andriy Shevchenko, the best football player in Europe in 2004, the head coach of the Ukraine National Football Team (2016-2021), the legendary athlete who is...

www.youtube.com

P.S. Andriy is standing next to the house of my mother's friend

 

[reut]

Andriy Shevchenko launched a campaign calling for a boycott of Russian athletes. Very powerful video

Andriy Shevchenko and 1+1 media group launch a campaign with a call for boycotting Russian athletes

Andriy Shevchenko, the best football player in Europe in 2004, the head coach of the Ukraine National Football Team (2016-2021), the legendary athlete who is...

www.youtube.com

P.S. Andriy is standing next to the house of my mother's friend

Very powerful, agree.

 

[Buzz]

Maybe they'll kill me - ex-Russia captain speaks out

Former Russia captain Igor Denisov becomes one of the highest-profile athletes still living in the country to speak out against the war in Ukraine.

www.bbc.com