Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has major consequences for the sports world. Not only the European football association UEFA has to make hard decisions, but also in other sports decisions will have to be made in the coming days, weeks and months.
All sports events have been suspended in Ukraine for one month. The Ukrainian Ministry of Sports announced this on Thursday after a state of emergency was declared in the country. Russian troops invaded the country earlier in the day.
No sports event will be organized for the next 30 days. The national football and athletics associations, among others, have already indicated that they are suspending all their activities. The participation of the national teams of Ukraine in international sports competitions has not been canceled (yet).
cycling
The UCI is canceling all cycling races that are on the agenda in Russia and Belarus this season. The International Cycling Union announced this in a statement.
“Sport and cycling have often been able to point the way to peace and dialogue. These values should inspire the Russian government to end hostilities and resume dialogue to give a chance for a peaceful solution to this military action.”
The UCI says its thoughts are with Ukraine. “As a sign of solidarity with the innocent civilians facing this terrible conflict, the UCI has raised the Ukrainian flag in front of its headquarters.”
basketball
In basketball action was required. The Dutch men’s national team played its qualifying match in and against Russia on Thursday at 4 p.m., in the city of Perm, more than 2,000 kilometers from Ukraine. The return leg is normally scheduled in Almere on Sunday.
Ukraine played a qualifying match in Spain, the Ukraine-Spain match on Sunday has been postponed. The British basketball men announced last week that they will not travel to the Belarusian capital Minsk for their qualifying match against Belarus.
Also in the Euroleague there are games with Russian teams on the program in the coming days. Barcelona decided on Thursday that it would not travel to Russia. The Spanish top club normally had to play in Saint Petersburg on Friday and in Moscow on Sunday.
football
There were some hot spots in football. Perhaps the hottest thing was that Saint Petersburg is no longer hosting the Champions League final. UEFA has decided that the final will take place in Paris.
In addition, there is Russia’s World Cup qualifier against Poland at the end of March. With a win, Russia would then receive the winner of the game between Sweden and the Czech Republic.
The football associations of Poland, Sweden and the Czech Republic have expressed their refusal to complete the World Cup play-offs in Russia at the end of March. was the message in the letter that the Polish federation published on its Twitter account on Thursday
rugby
The European Rugby Union is suspending its activities in Russia for an indefinite period. “We are very concerned about the security of the Ukrainian rugby community and are following the situation closely. We stand for rugby based on the European values of peace, respect and human rights following the Olympic charter.”
All events, tournaments and competitions in Russia are suspended in all categories. “Further measures will follow in consultation with World Rugby,” it said.
tennis
In the national competitions in tennis, two meetings have already been rescheduled. The Ukraine-Barbados Davis Cup duel has been moved to Antalya in Turkey, as has the clash between Belarus and the Belgian tennis women in the Billie Jean King Cup.
After that, it remains to be seen what will happen with the ATP tournaments in Moscow and Saint Petersburg in October. The WTA tournament in Saint Petersburg was completed at the beginning of February, the tournament in Moscow also takes place in the fall.
chess
Also no chess games in Russia for the time being. The 44th Chess Olympiad has been removed from the capital Moscow, the international chess federation FIDE announced on Friday.
About 190 countries would participate in the tournament at the end of July and the beginning of August. The organizers are now looking for a new location.
volley-ball
The Men’s Volleyball World Cup usually starts at the end of August in Russia. It is not yet clear whether the 7 Russian host cities will actually host the best volleyball players in the world.
It also remains to be seen what will happen to the Russian teams in the European club competitions. Zenit Saint Petersburg and Dinamo Moscow for the men and Kazan, Moscow and Kaliningrad for the women will play the quarter-finals of the Champions League at the beginning of March. Tonight Zenit Kazan will play in the semifinals of the CEV Cup in Monza.
car and motorsports, judo, handball and swimming
- The European handballFederation has suspended all international matches of Ukraine for the time being.
- “Formula 1 is wary of developments in Ukraine with a view to the GP in Russia in September,” said F1 owner Liberty Media.
- On May 1, normally the MXGP of Russia on the agenda.
- Still in May, the Grand Slam judo organized in Kazan.
- In December Kazan is the location for the World Championship swimming short course.
