The European Olympic Committees (EOC) has endorsed an International Olympic Committee (IOC) call for Russia and Belarus to be stripped of all international sporting events and have their flags banned.
The EOC strongly supports IOC President Bach’s call for peace and expresses its full support to the Olympic Community in Ukraine.
Like the IOC, the EOC highlighted that Russia’s actions violated the Olympic Truce, and has called on all members to “stand in solidarity” with Ukraine’s Olympic community.
The British Olympic Association is a member of the European Olympic Committees, consisting of 50 National Olympic Committees within Europe.
Many sports are now withdrawing from Russia and Belarus based events and banning their flags and anthems at events. And the Czech Republic, Poland and Sweden are refusing to play Russia in FIFA World Cup playoffs.
The British Government is believed to be pressuring FIFA to remove Russia from the Football World Cup.
In a personnel blow to President Putin, the International Judo Federation (IJF) has suspended Vladimir Putin’s status as Honorary President and ambassador. Putin was awarded the eighth dan in 2012 by the IJF, the first Russia to reach that level.
In other moves . . .
- President Putin has ordered Russian nuclear forces to be put on high alert in response to what he called “aggressive statements” by leading Nato powers”. The practical meaning of Mr Putin’s order was not immediately clear.
- The European Union has said the 27-nation bloc will close its airspace to all Russian airlines and fund the purchase of weapons for Ukraine.
- The British Government has ramped-up earlier sanctions legislation that it can use against anyone who carries on a business of economic significance to the government of Russia, which could be used against rich individuals and impact the superyacht market.
- The oil company BP is to offload its 19.75% stake in Russian oil firm Rosneft after Putin’s ‘act of aggression’.
- The Football Association says no England team will play Russia in any international fixtures for the foreseeable future out of solidarity with Ukraine.
- Poland, Sweden and the Czech Republic’s football associations have announced that their teams would also refuse to play Russia at any venue.
In reply to our earlier request for comment, a World Sailing spokesperson replied . . .
‘World Sailing is in contact with the International Olympic Committee and will be able to comment further in due course.’
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