Russia has not been a full IBU member since 2017. This means that no events will take place in Russia until 2026 and that representatives of the Russian federation RBU will not be allowed to hold official positions in the IBU.
Biathlete Pidruchny reports from the war
Ukrainian biathlete Dmytro Pidruchnyi has garnered reactions from across the biathlon world with an emotional post from his wartime service. “I am grateful to everyone who writes to me with concerns about my family and to those who support and help Ukraine“Wrote the former world champion on the Internet service Instagram.
He showed himself in a photo in a military uniform with a helmet: “I am currently in my hometown of Ternopil, serving in the National Guard of Ukraine.“Two weeks ago, the country’s best biathlete competed at the Winter Olympics in Beijing.
The Ukrainian Biathlon Federation also announced that Yevhen Malyshev, a member of the junior national team, died in the war. Two Ukrainian football professionals, Vitaly Sapylo (21) and Dimitri Martynenko (25), were also killed in fighting, according to the international players’ association FIFPro.
Sport shooters from Russia and Belarus excluded from World Cup
The International Shooting Federation ISSF has excluded Russian and Belarusian shooters from the current World Cup in Cairo. “Athletes from the Russian Federation and Belarus are no longer allowed to participate in ISSF Championships“The association said in a statement.
Switolina donates prize money to the Ukrainian military
The Ukrainian tennis player Elina Switolina has played at the WTA tournament in Monterrey/Mexico announced that they would donate their prize money to the Ukrainian military. The top player competed in the Ukrainian national colors (yellow top, blue skirt) in her first round victory against the Russian Anastasiya Potapova. Before the obligatory handshake with her opponent, she had hit her chest repeatedly.
Potapova was not allowed to compete under the Russian flag following a recent decision by the WTA. That was the only reason why Switolina started at all, she had previously threatened a boycott. “It’s a very special match for me, a very special moment“, said Svitolina: “I’m in a very sad mood, but also happy that I can play tennis here.“
Ex-Bundesliga professional Voronin: thoughts of Ukraine’s participation in the World Cup are far away
Former Ukrainian national soccer player Andrei Voronin has confirmed that football and a possible World Cup participation in his home country are not important at the moment. “That’s so small compared to everything that’s happening right now. And whether we end up at the World Cup in Qatar or not is of no interest to anyone at the moment“Said the 42-year-old in an interview with the “Süddeutsche Zeitung”.
“Neither do the boys. Everyone is waiting and hoping this nightmare will pass. Me too. When the time comes, we’ll be able to talk about it.“Ukraine qualified for the European World Cup playoffs at the end of March.
Quelle: dpa/sid/red
