Madrid, March 1 (EFE).- The siege of Russian and Belarusian sports continues 24 hours after the appearance of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the severe sanctions imposed by FIFA, UEFA and the Euroleague that have continued with different international federations that have joined the boycott caused by the invasion of Ukraine.
This Monday, Russia was left out of the 2022 Qatar World Cup, without its representative in the Europa League (Spartak Moscow) and without its basketball teams that participate in the Euroleague (CSKA Moscow, Zenit Saint Petersburg and Unics Kazan). All were removed from their competitions immediately.
Before, the IOC released a forceful statement that caused the most striking cascade of sanctions. The body chaired by Thomas Bach recommended not to invite Russian and Belarusian athletes to international competitions and its appeal had an effect in FIFA, UEFA and the Euroleague and in other competitions.
The International Badminton Federation (BWF) joined the IOC’s recommendation, the FIA announced a meeting for this Tuesday, the International Taekwondo Federation (World Taekwondo) withdrew Vladimir Putin’s 9th dan honorary black belt and the Olympic Confederation of the German Sport (DOSB) called for the expulsion of Russia and Belarus from all European competitions.
They were just a few examples and it was foreseeable that a day later, more federations would join the boycott of Russian and Belarusian sport with forceful or symbolic actions. For example, that of the International Swimming Federation, which decided to withdraw from Vladimir Putin the Order that he gave him in 2014 and also approved that swimmers from Russia and Belarus will only be able to compete as neutrals, without symbols, flags or hymns.
The International Rugby Federation (World Rugby) also acted, agreeing to suspend “until further notice” the selections and teams of the two invading countries. The organization specified that the decision was adopted “in line with the recommendations of the IOC” and “taking into account the interests of the values of solidarity, integrity and respect for rugby.”
Rowing was also not far behind and the International Federation (World Rowing) confirmed that it will not allow the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes in any of its competitions “with immediate effect and until further notice”.
Like the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB), which joined the cataract of sanctions and also separated athletes from both countries “with immediate effect” and “until further notice.” In addition, he informed that all the national teams, clubs, officials and athletes of beach volleyball and snow volleyball of Russia and Belarus, would also not be able to play any competition.
Table tennis was also not missing from the list, which made the decision to follow the recommendations of the IOC and indicated that “until further notice” the presence of Russian or Belarusian players will not be invited or allowed in the events organized by the International Federation of Table Tennis (ITTF).
And, in a more friendly tone, the Ukrainian Paralympic team, made up of twenty athletes and nine guides, announced that it will participate in the Beijing Winter Games to be held from March 4 to 13. They will compete in two sports: biathlon and cross-country skiing. Surely they will try to raise the flag of their country high, in need of joy amid the suffering caused by Russia after invading Ukraine.
(c) EFE Agency
