The decision was made in a “regrettable situation”, wrote UWW. Accordingly, “with immediate effect” no wrestlers or officials from UWW-affiliated associations in Russia and Belarus should be admitted to international competitions. Both associations also announced that they would suspend or cancel international competitions that were planned in Russia or Belarus.
The International Olympic Committee had recommended banning Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials from international competitions. The background are the sanctions in the wake of the Ukraine war against Russia and its ally Belarus.
