Dhe Russian attack on the Ukraine draws wider circles in sporting events. On the day he took the lead in the world tennis rankings, Russian Daniil Medvedev didn’t feel like celebrating. It was a roller coaster ride, he said at the press conference in Acapulco. In the end, the quarter-final victory over the Japanese Yoshihito Nishioka (6: 2. 6: 3) was decisive for the fulfillment of his big dream – after the defeat of the Serbian Novak Djokovic in the quarter-finals of the ATP tournament in Dubai, he replaced him at the top. But on the same day, his homeland’s troops attacked Ukraine. “In times like these,” he said, “you understand that sometimes tennis isn’t that important.”
Medvedev campaigned for peace in the world. “We play in so many countries, I’ve been to so many countries as a junior and as a professional. It is not easy to hear all this… I am unreservedly for peace.” Thus joy at his achievement gave way to depression. For the first time since 2004, not one of the “big four”, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer or Andy Murray will be at the top from next Monday.
Formula 1 races in Russia canceled
Vladimir Putin’s war has had a serious impact on Formula 1, which normally pays little attention to political developments. The Grand Prix scheduled for September 25 in Sochi – an event strongly supported by Vladimir Putin – has been cancelled. “We are watching developments in Ukraine with sadness and dismay and hope that the current situation will be resolved quickly and peacefully,” the racing series said. Sebastian Vettel and world champion Max Verstappen had previously declared that they did not want to drive in Sochi.
The American Formula 1 racing team Haas, for which world champion son Mick Schumacher drives, contested the test drives in Barcelona on Friday with a white-painted vehicle. The team has a Russian title sponsor in Uralkali, the country’s largest mineral fertilizer producer. Haas usually competes in red, blue and white, the colors of the Russian national flag. “It was a message to everyone,” said team boss Günther Steiner. Uralkali is owned by Dimitri Masepin, whose son Nikita Schumacher is teammate. On Friday, he received no guarantee that he would be able to continue driving for Haas. Any financial gaps could probably plug team owner Gene Haas.
The International Olympic Committee has called on all international sports federations to “postpone or cancel their sporting events currently planned in Russia or Belarus”. At no international sporting event should the Russian or Belarusian flag be hoisted nor should the national anthem of these countries be played. The World Ski Federation has canceled all World Cup competitions of the season in Russia. The Ukrainian biathletes have given up the rest of the season. The gymnasts, on the other hand, continue their commitment at the World Cup in Cottbus.
“As a sign of sympathy and solidarity with the victims of the war in Ukraine and as a protest against the Russian invasion,” the German Olympic Sports Confederation recommended that its 90,000 clubs observe a minute’s silence at their weekend competitions.
