LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AFP) – The International Olympic Committee on Friday urged sports federations to cancel or postpone all scheduled events in Russia and Belarus and to stop using the countries’ flags and national anthems.
The Olympic authority’s request came after UEFA moved the Champions League final from St Petersburg to the outskirts of Paris and after the skiing and Formula One governing body pulled the upcoming races from Russia.
The world championships in volleyball and archery are to be held in Russia. There will also be a World Cup qualifying playoff against Poland on March 24 in Moscow.
Russia broke the Olympic truce by invading Ukraine on Thursday, just four days after the Beijing Winter Games closing ceremony. Some Russian troops invaded Ukraine from Belarus, Russia’s ally.
This is the third Russian breach of the Olympic truce in the past 14 years. Russia invaded Georgia during the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics and annexed Crimea shortly after the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics ended.
The IOC said the governing bodies “must take into account the violations of the Olympic ceasefire by the Russian and Belarusian governments and make athlete safety an absolute priority”.
After a meeting of its executive board, the International Olympic Committee said that the flags and national anthems of Russia and Belarus should not be used at international sporting events.
“The International Olympic Committee expresses its deep concern for the safety of the members of the Olympic community of Ukraine and stands in full solidarity,” she said.
The IOC has also given the International Paralympic Committee “full support” for the Paralympic Winter Games, which open in Beijing next month.
In a statement to sports illustratedThe US Olympic and Paralympic Committee has stressed the commitment to athlete safety in Beijing given the situation in Europe.
“The safety of Team USA players while training and competing is our top priority,” said USOPC. “As with all Olympic and Paralympic Games, we are working closely with our partners, including government agencies, to ensure the safety of Team USA athletes. We are committed to supporting the US delegation to the Beijing Paralympic Games and ensuring our athletes have the opportunity to safely achieve their sporting dreams.”
Sports Illustrated’s Madeline Coleman contributed to this report.
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