Lausanne, Mar 1: Russian athletes have been excluded from yet another sport that is extremely popular at home following the country’s invasion of Ukraine.
Russia was banned from competing in international ice skating events on Tuesday, a day after being kicked out of football competitions and hockey – Vladimir Putin’s favorite sport.
The decisions follow the International Olympic Committee’s bullheaded request to keep Russian athletes out of sporting events around the world.
The International Skating Union, the body that runs the sport around the world, informed that no athletes from Russia or Belarus “shall be invited or allowed to participate” in events until further notice.
“The ISU Council reiterates its solidarity with all those affected by the conflict in Ukraine and our thoughts are with the entire Ukrainian people and country,” the ISU said in a statement.
The world figure skating championships are scheduled to be held later this month in Montpellier, France. (AP)
