One of Russia’s favorite sports has just been banned from competing on the international stage.
On Tuesday, the International Skating Union (ISU) announced that skaters from Russia and Belarus will not be “invited or allowed to participate in International ice skating competitions including ISU Championships and other ISU events.”
“The ISU Council reiterates its solidarity with all those affected by the conflict in Ukraine and our thoughts are with the entire Ukrainian people and country,” the union said in a statement. “The ISU Council reaffirms its full solidarity with the ISU Members in Ukraine, the Ukrainian Speed Skating Federation and the Ukrainian Figure Skating Federation.”
The decision by the ISU means that Russian figure skater and center of Olympics doping scandal, Kamila Valieva, will not be able to compete in the upcoming 2022 World Figure Skating Championships.
Valieva reportedly tested positive for trimetazidine, a banned substance, in Beijing but was still allowed to compete at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, drawing the ire of many involved in the sport.
The decision by the ISU comes one day after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) recommended that “International Sports Federations and sports event organisers not invite or allow the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials in international competitions.”
The IOC also withdrew the Olympic Order — given to individuals who have “rendered outstanding services to the Olympic cause through their contribution to the development of sport” — from Vladimir Putin. The Russian President was awarded the Olympic Order in 2001.
The sports world continues to distance itself from Russia, with the NHL calling for a “peaceful resolution” to the conflict in Ukraine, and will not be hosting any hockey games in Russia in the near future.
“The National Hockey League condemns Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and urges a peaceful resolution as quickly as possible,” the NHL said in a statement. “Effective immediately, we are suspending our relationships with our business partners in Russia and we are pausing our Russian language social and digital media sites. In addition, we are discontinuing any consideration of Russia as a location for any future competitions involving the NHL.”
The men’s volleyball world championships, scheduled for August 26 – September 11, were also moved out of Moscow on Monday.
“Following Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine, the FIVB remains gravely concerned by the escalating situation and for the safety of the people of Ukraine,” the Fédération Internationale de Volleyball said.
UEFA, along with soccer’s governing body, FIFA, have also announced the suspension of Russian national teams and clubs from all competitions.
“Following the initial decisions adopted by the FIFA Council and the UEFA Executive Committee, which envisaged the adoption of additional measures, FIFA and UEFA have today decided together that all Russian teams, whether national representative teams or club teams, shall be suspended from participation in both FIFA and UEFA competitions until further notice,” UEFA and FIFA said in a statement.
“Football is fully united here and in full solidarity with all the people affected in Ukraine,” the statement continued. “Both Presidents hope that the situation in Ukraine will improve significantly and rapidly so that football can again be a vector for unity and peace amongst people.”
Joe Morgan is the Sports Reporter for The Daily Wire. Most recently, Morgan covered the Clippers, Lakers, and the NBA for Sporting News. Send your sports questions to [email protected].
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Source: Dailywire
