2 yıl önce

Badminton, rowing, skiing federations ban Russian, Belarusian athletes

Sports bodies across the world move against Russia and Belarus by refusing to host or play against teams from the countries since the start of the Russian attacks on Ukraine.

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The badminton federation's (BWF) move comes a day after it cancelled tournaments in Russia and Belarus.

More sporting bodies have sanctioned Russian and Belarusian athletes over Russia's invasion of Ukraine, with the governing bodies for badminton, rowing and skiing banning athletes from the two countries from international competition.

Since the start of what Russian President Vladimir Putin has called "a special military operation" last week, sports bodies across the world have already moved against Russia and Belarus by refusing to host or play against teams from the countries.

On Monday, the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) executive board recommended sports federations ban Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials from competing in events.

The badminton federation's (BWF) move comes a day after it cancelled tournaments in Russia and Belarus.

The BWF said the ban on athletes and officials from Russia and Belarus would start at the German Open from March 8-13, but it is allowing Russian players to compete at two Para badminton tournaments in Spain this week as they have already arrived on location.

"These players, however, will compete as neutral athletes, with no national flags or anthems," the BWF added.

Can only compete as neutral athletes

World Rowing banned Russia and Belarusian athletes and officials from its international competitions with immediate effect and until further notice.

The international ski federation (FIS) said its council had voted unanimously to follow the IOC executive board's recommendations.

"With immediate effect, no Russian or Belarusian athlete shall participate in any FIS competition at any level through the end of the 2021-2022 season," FIS said in a statement.

Swimming's world governing body FINA, which on Sunday called off the World Junior Swimming Championships in Kazan, Russia, said on Tuesday that Russian and Belarusian athletes would now only compete as neutral athletes or neutral teams.

"No national symbols, colours, flags should be displayed or anthems should be played in international Aquatics events which are not already part of the respective World Anti-Doping Agency sanctions for Russia," FINA said.

It added that the FINA Order awarded to Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2014 has been withdrawn.

On Monday, soccer governing bodies FIFA and UEFA suspended Russia's national teams and clubs, making it likely the country will be excluded from this year's men's World Cup and the women's Euro 2022 tournament.

SOURCE: TRTWorld and agencies