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Russia’s attacks on Ukraine causing waves in the sports world
Putin’s decision to launch a military assault on Ukraine has seen strong opposition throughout Europe and the world, and that includes in the sports world.
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The Russian attacks on Ukraine have had consequences throughout the sports world. It’s responded with strong opposition to the attacks, which began with aerial strikes and military invasions late Wednesday night. Here are just a few examples of the effects that the Russian invasion has had on sports so far.
Sports organizations highly opposed to Russian attacks on Ukraine
The International Olympic Committee said in a statement that it “strongly condemns the breach of the Olympic Truce by the Russian government.” The attacks came just six days after the conclusion of the Beijing Winter Olympics. Similarly in 2014, Russia waited six days after the closing ceremony of the. Sochi Games to attack Crimea.
The soccer Champions League Final has been moved from St. Petersburg in Russia to Paris, France. It’s also possible that FIFA will strip Russia of the World Cup Qualifiers they’re meant to host next month.
Moscow is also meant to host the semifinal playoff of the World Cup between Russia and Poland and possibly the final against either Sweden or the Czech Republic. All three teams requested not to play the games in Russia.
The Polish Ministry of Sports suggested that Russia be withdrawn from the men’s volleyball World Cup in August.
Several events in the winter sports World Cup were set to take place in Russia this week but the International Ski Federation announced that the snowboarding event is canceled. Ski cross and aerials will only go ahead as planned because the athletes flew directly there from Beijing. If they do go forward, Canadian athletes will not participate.
The second-division German soccer team Schalke has removed the name and logo Gazprom, a Russian gas company and their main sponsor, from their jerseys.
Formula 1 champions Max Verstappen and Sebastian Vettel will not participate in the Russian GP this September.
The Euroleague of basketball suspended three games against Russian teams, Zenit-Barcelona, Baskonia-Unics Kazán and Bayern Munich-CSKA Moscow.
The European Handball Federation was meant to play some matches in Ukraine over the next four weeks but moved and postponed them for now.
The Ukrainian soccer league suspended its championship, which should have resumed today (Friday) after two months of winter break.
The men’s professional tennis tour announced that the ATP Challenger tournament would not take place. It was supposed to be played next week in Moscow.
Two Ukrainian NBA players, Sacramento Kings Alex Len and Toronto Raptors Ski Mykhailiuk posted a joint statement to social media condemning the attacks. The Kings and Denver Nuggets teams showed their solidarity by linking arms ahead of their game Thursday night.
European rugby organizations postponed a Rugby Europe Championship game against Russia that would take place this Sunday in Tbilisi.