Western countries have called for Russia to be excluded from sports bodies

Washington | Western nations called on international sports federations on Tuesday to expel their Russian and Belarusian members after Russia invaded Ukraine.

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Japan and South Korea, along with 35 Western countries, called in a joint statement for no sporting events to take place in Russia or Belarus and to ban their athletes from international competition. They have already expressed on March 8.

The signatories this time recommended the suspension of Russian and Belarusian bodies from international sports federations.

“Individuals close to the Russian and Belarusian states, including but not limited to government officials, should be removed from influential positions in international sports federations, such as boards or organizing committees,” the ministerial statement said. Published by sports and cultural authorities. By the US State Department.

They also called on sports organizers to consider suspending television broadcasts in both countries.

The United States and the European Union are trying to isolate Russia to increase pressure on President Vladimir Putin, who has taken apparent pride in hosting the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics and the 2018 World Cup.

FIFA and Wimbledon tennis tournaments have banned Russian players and teams since Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC), which previously banned Russian athletes from competing under its own banner due to doping, has recommended the exclusion of Russian and Belarusian athletes.

But two Russians sit on the IOC, Olympic high jump champion Yelena Isinbayeva, who is close to Putin, and Russian tennis boss Shamil Tarpischev.

The press release still calls for competitions that welcome Russian or Belarusian athletes to clearly indicate they are not representing their countries and ban the use of their flags.