FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
World Athletics Council sanctions Russia and Belarus
The World Athletics Council has today agreed to impose sanctions against
the Member Federations of Russia and Belarus as a consequence of the
invasion of Ukraine.
All athletes, support personnel and officials from Russia and Belarus will
be excluded from all World Athletics Series events for the foreseeable
future, with immediate effect.
Upcoming events include the World Athletics Championships Oregon22, the
World Athletics Indoor Championships Belgrade 22, and the World Athletics
Race Walking Team Championships Muscat 22, which begin on Friday in Oman (4
March).
The Council also agreed to consider further measures, including the
suspension of the Belarus Federation, at its scheduled Council meeting next
week (9-10 March).
The Russian Athletics Federation (RusAF) has been suspended from World
Athletics since 2015, due to doping violations, and therefore is not
currently eligible to host World Athletics events or send teams to
international championships.
The Authorised Neutral Athlete (ANA) process remains in place but Russian
athletes who have received ANA status for 2022 are excluded from World
Athletics Series events for the foreseeable future.
This means that all Russian ANA or Belarusian athletes currently accredited
for the World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships Muscat 22 and the
World Athletics Indoor Championships Belgrade 22 (18-20 March) will have
their accreditation withdrawn and entries denied, as will any support
personnel and officials.
In an address to the Council, World Athletics President Sebastian Coe said:
"The world is horrified by what Russia has done, aided and abetted by
Belarus. World leaders sought to avoid this invasion through diplomatic
means but to no avail given Russia's unswerving intention to invade
Ukraine. The unprecedented sanctions that are being imposed on Russia and
Belarus by countries and industries all over the world appear to be the
only peaceful way to disrupt and disable Russia's current intentions and
restore peace.
"Anyone who knows me will understand that imposing sanctions on athletes
because of the actions of their government goes against the grain. I have
railed against the practice of politicians targeting athletes and sport to
make political points when other sectors continue about their business.
This is different as governments, business and other international
organisations have imposed sanctions and measures against Russia across all
sectors. Sport has to step up and join these efforts to end this war and
restore peace. We cannot and should not sit this one out."
World Athletics Athletes' Commission chairs Renaud Lavillenie and Dame
Valerie Adams welcomed the decision.
"We stand in solidarity with our fellow athletes, competitors, and friends
from Ukraine who are facing far greater challenges than just disruptions to
their training and competition, but are in fear of their lives and the
lives of their loved ones," Lavillenie said.
"While we understand the implications of this decision for Authorised
Neutral Athletes from Russia and Belarusian athletes, who may not be
condoning their nations' deplorable military action in Ukraine, we cannot
ignore the message that inclusion of these two nations' athletes would send
to our friends in Ukraine and the rest of the world."
In accordance with World Athletics rules, the Member Federations from
Russia and Belarus have been informed of the Council's decisions and have
the right to respond. If necessary, the Council will reconvene to consider
that response.
###
|
