Espreso. Global

Russia supporters in sports – News Insight 

12 April, 2023 Wednesday
14:50

Some sports federations believe that Russia’s cruel war against Ukraine is insufficient to ban Russians and Belarusians from international competitions

client/title.list_title

News Insight writes about federations that invite representatives from the aggressor states to competitions, even though sports and politics in Russia are closely connected and many Russian sports stars showed their support for Putin’s regime.

According to the publication, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) reversed its decision on Russians and Belarusians after 13 months, recommending their re-introduction in international competitions on March 28, 2023. However, the IOC shifted responsibility onto international federations to make the final decision based on IOC rules. The decision has put significant pressure on federations, with some able to withstand it while others succumb. Several federations have already voted to allow Russians and Belarusians to compete.

Fencing: The IOC is considering allowing Russians and Belarusians to compete in international competitions again. But the International Fencing Federation (FIE) has decided to permit them to compete in line with IOC regulations, following an emergency congress. 

The FIE's president and a Russian oligarch close to the Puti’s regime, Alisher Usmanov, temporarily suspended his powers in March 2022 due to sanctions, but the FIE is still considered to be under Russian control, according to Ukraine's Minister of Youth and Sports, Vadym Huttsayt.

Taekwondo: Russians and Belarusians can compete in the World Championships as neutrals, the World Taekwondo Federation Council announced. Certification of their “neutrality” will be given in three stages.

Wrestling: United Wrestling World approves participation of Russian and Belarussian wrestlers in international competitions, since its president Nenad Lalovic of Serbia is Russia’s supporter, according to Ukrainian wrestler, Olympic champion, and MP Zhan Beleniuk.

Second application was made by UWW to the IOC to relax requirements for permitting Russian and Belarussian athletes, who have contracts with the Russian army, to compete. UWW will not even screen them for security and military duty. 

Swimming: International Swimming Federation considers IOC's request to allow Russians and Belarusians to compete. A special committee has been formed to make a decision in July 2023.

Tennis, soccer, chess, and boxing: these are popular sports that the International Olympic Committee has little control over. The ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) and WTA (Women’s Tennis Association) manage professional tennis, and Russians and Belarusians can still compete under a neutral flag.

UEFA decided to suspend Russian national teams and clubs in football, but it only applies to official matches.The Russian national team is capable of playing friendly games.

In boxing, the IOC is powerless due to the International Boxing Association being led by a Russian and sponsored by Gazprom. The IBA agreed to let Russians and Belarusians compete under their flag. However, the IBA and the IOC have a strained relationship. 

There is a campaign to ban Russian athletes from the Paris 2024 Olympics due to Moscow's war against Ukraine. The pressure on the IOC committee mounts, and they will need to review the possible consequences of allowing Russians to compete.

Tags:
Read also:
  • News
2025, Wednesday
19 February
19:38
Putin lies about Russian troops crossing into Ukraine from Kursk region
19:22
What Russia may get from North Korea in March: Shells, ballistic missiles,KN-25 MLRS
19:06
Ukrainian defense industry covers 30% of military needs — Zelenskyy
18:50
Putin's reelection was illegitimate - Ukraine's disinformation center
18:35
Elections during wartime are Russia’s try to defeat Ukraine – Zurabishvili
18:20
"Ukraine doesn’t want peace": Russia’s latest fake narrative led by Putin’s ally
18:04
Exclusive
Ukraine’s battlefield success may turn peace talks upside down — military analyst
17:55
Updated
U.S. envoy Keith Kellogg arrives in Kyiv, holds high-level talks
17:47
North Korean troops in Kursk region told they’re fighting South Korean soldiers
17:31
Trucks and thermal imagers: Ukraine receives new military aid package from Lithuania
17:14
OPINION
Ukraine between predators: How to counter Putin and Trump
16:52
Ukraine’s former top general names key factors for Ukraine’s victory over Russia
16:43
Updated
EU approves 16th sanctions package against Russia
16:32
UK’s “air policing” proposal to Ukraine: Will it make a difference?
16:14
"War cost us $320 billion": Zelenskyy responds to Trump’s aid reimbursement demands
16:07
Ukrainian President names countries opposing Ukraine’s NATO membership
15:54
Exclusive
Russia may test NATO's Article 5 response with localized war in Estonia — Ukrainian officer
15:36
OPINION
U.S.-Russia talks in Riyadh: key takeaways
15:24
Exclusive
Ukraine Russia war live map, February 12-19
February 12-19 live war map: new encirclement in Kurakhove sector
15:12
Belarus sells rapeseed oil from Ukraine's occupied Kherson region to EU – investigation
14:53
Ukrainian paratroopers repel Russian assault in Kharkiv region: video
14:36
Zelenskyy: If Ukraine joins EU and NATO tomorrow, I will no longer be needed
14:28
Trump claims Zelenskyy's approval rating in Ukraine dropped to 4%, Zelenskyy responds
14:15
Exclusive
New Ukraine-EU defense alliance signals revival of Europe's defense industry — military expert
13:54
Ukraine’s Air Force confirms precision strike on Russian troop dislocation in Zaporizhzhia region
13:32
Elections in Ukraine immediately after ceasefire are unrealistic – Ukrainian MP
12:56
Affiliate Material
I wasn't afraid of causing pain — it helped the wounded: combat medic Lidiia Zabolotska's story
12:35
Russia in Riyadh lies about not targeting Ukraine’s energy sector as it strikes Odesa – Zelenskyy
12:13
OPINION
Ukraine expects unity from Europeans, Europeans expect unity from Ukraine
11:57
Zelenskyy delays Saudi Arabia visit to avoid legitimizing U.S.-Russia talks
11:36
Review
Kurakhove pocket: Ukrainian Armed Forces hold ground under extreme conditions. Serhiy Zgurets' column
11:10
UK may supply Ukraine with Typhoon fighter jets if ceasefire is reached
10:36
Russia remains unwilling to negotiate on Ukraine following talks in Saudi Arabia — ISW
10:15
Russian drone attack causes power, water, and heating outages in Odesa, leaves 4 injured
09:54
Russia’s Syzran oil refinery on fire after drone strike
09:30
Russia loses 1,300 soldiers, 19 tanks, 72 artillery systems in one day of war in Ukraine
2025, Tuesday
18 February
21:30
EU plans to provide Ukraine with €6 billion military aid package amid US-Russia talks
21:15
Exclusive
Massive Russian force gathers near Ukraine's Lyman as attacks intensify
21:01
Exclusive
"Signal to world and primarily Europe": MP Tsymbaliuk on US-Russia negotiations
20:42
Ukraine will not legally recognize Russian-occupied territories, says Zelenskyy
More news