Ukraine protests against FIA: “Restore sanctions on Russia”
The FIA has again allowed drivers and representatives from Russia and Belarus to participate in international competitions with their respective flags and national symbols. The decision provoked the reaction of Ukraine, whose invasion by Russia led to the FIA restrictions at the beginning of 2022. The Kiev government has asked the Federation to review the measure, arguing that the conditions that led to the sanctions have not changed.
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The Ukrainian Minister of Youth and Sports Matvii Bidnyi harshly criticized the step back. According to him, the conditions remain those of 2022, and a similar decision risks normalizing the Russian invasion through sport. Bidnyi also recalled the heavy toll paid by the Ukrainian sports world, stating that several hundred athletes and coaches have been killed since the start of the Russian attack, and that nearly a thousand sports facilities have been destroyed.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Матвій Бідний (@matviibidnyi)
Bidnyi’s words
“We ask that this decision be reconsidered. I have formally appealed to the FIA, requesting that the decision be revoked to allow Russian and Belarusian representatives to return to international competitions,” this is Bidnyi’s message on his social channels. “The reasons for the sanctions have not disappeared. Russia continues its armed aggression, while Belarus provides military support. Since the beginning of the invasion, more than 770 Ukrainian athletes and coaches have been killed by the aggressor. The enemy has destroyed more than 925 sports facilities across the country.”
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“Displaying the symbols of a country committing genocide is equivalent to contempt for international law and the principles of fair play,” he added. “We ask all international federations to stand on the side of justice. Sport must not become a tool to normalize aggression. There should be no room for ‘sportswashing’ in world sport.”
The decision from a week ago follows that of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which readmitted Russians because “their Olympic Committee does not carry out any activity in the militarily invaded Ukrainian territories.” The IOC also set the line in the 2022 suspension, with sports federations essentially aligning. The FIA chose to admit them to competitions provided they demonstrated their neutrality and renounced national symbols such as anthem and flag.
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