The Global Olympic Committee prompt sports activities our bodies Friday to cancel or transfer all occasions they plan to carry in Russia and Belarus, and prevent the usage of the international locations’ flags and nationwide anthems.
The request from the Olympic frame got here after UEFA moved the Champions League ultimate from St. Petersburg to suburban Paris, and after the governing frame of snowboarding and System One pulled upcoming races from Russia.
Volleyball and capturing each have global championships scheduled to be held in Russia. There could also be a Global Cup qualifying playoff fit in opposition to Poland scheduled for March 24 in Moscow.
Russia breached the Olympic Truce by way of invading Ukraine on Thursday, handiest 4 days after the last rite of the Wintry weather Video games in Beijing. One of the vital Russian troops entered Ukraine from Belarus, Russia’s best friend.
It used to be the 3rd Russian breach of the Olympic Truce up to now 14 years. Russia invaded Georgia all over the 2008 Summer season Olympics in Beijing and annexed Crimea in a while after the top of the 2014 Wintry weather Olympics in Sochi.
The IOC mentioned governing our bodies must take the breach of the Olympic Truce by way of the Russian and Belarussian governments into consideration and provides the security and safety of the athletes absolute precedence.
The flags and nationwide anthems of Russia and Belarus must additionally no longer be used at world sports activities occasions, the IOC mentioned after a gathering of its govt board.
“The IOC (board) expresses its deep issues in regards to the protection of the participants of the Olympic group in Ukraine and stands in complete team spirit, it mentioned.
The IOC additionally gave complete improve to the Global Paralympic Committee for the Wintry weather Paralympics, which open subsequent month in Beijing.