Competing with Russians and Belarusians: athletes talk ban on participation in tournaments

In the first months of the full-scale invasion, Russian and Belarusian athletes became persona non grata at numerous international competitions. In February 2022, the International Olympic Committee recommended that representatives of the Russian Federation and Belarus not be allowed to participate in sporting events. Representatives of these countries were suspended from competitions everywhere: in track and field athletics, motorsports, tennis, swimming, fencing, volleyball, hockey, football, gymnastics, boxing, biathlon, freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling, rowing, mixed martial arts, etc. 

More than a year later, the International Olympic Committee's decision changed. On March 28, the IOC recommended that Russian and Belarusian athletes be allowed to return to international competitions. In response, the Cabinet of Ministers decided to ban Ukrainian delegations from participating in sporting events where Russia and Belarus will be represented. The relevant order was published by the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Ukraine on April 12. 

LIGA.net found out the opinions of Ukrainian athletes about this ban and the prospects of non-participation in competitions where Russians and Belarusians will be represented. We also asked how the Ukrainian sports community is trying to influence international federations to prevent representatives of the Russian Federation and Belarus from participating in international events.