The Olympic flame went out only a short time ago, and with it the illusion of international understanding and peace associated with the Olympics. Although the Olympic truce is still in effect until March 20th. With the recognition of the self-proclaimed “People’s Republics” of Donetsk and Luhansk in eastern Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin has ensured that the crisis in Eastern Europe is further aggravated. Sport also has to deal with the escalation in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Russia’s influence on the world of professional sports is huge. In the past, Putin has deliberately sought proximity to the leading associations, and the economic dependency is enormous. This is probably one of the reasons why sports organizations are finding it difficult to find an answer to the question of how to react to the worsening crisis. The reactions vary between waiting and rejecting. the Uefa about wants the planned Champions League-May final in St. Petersburg not yet postponed in May, but keeps a back door open.
Swimming and volleyball associations play for time
The world swimming association Fina also wants to participate in the short courseWM Detain in Kazan, Russia, at the end of the year. “Currently there are no plans to change the current competition schedule”, said a Fina spokesman on Tuesday in Lausanne. one will “keep in touch with the organizers in Kazan” and closely monitor the situation in Russia and Ukraine. The world swimming association takes its time: the short courseWM in Kazan is only scheduled for December 17-22.
Also the volleyball world association FIVB is currently not thinking about giving Russia the men’sWM to withdraw in 2022. “The FIVB believes that sport should always remain separate from politics, but we are closely monitoring the situation to ensure the safety and welfare of all participants in our events, which is our top priority”, the world association announced on Tuesday when asked by the German Press Agency. The men-WM is scheduled in ten Russian cities from August 26 to September 11.
EHF: No handball games in Ukraine for the time being
The European Handball Federation (EHF) meanwhile announced that there will be no more games in Ukraine for the time being. The new regulation will initially apply for four weeks and will be adjusted if necessary. The ones concerned Champions League-Men’s matches to be played on neutral ground in Slovakia. The upcoming international matches of the Ukrainian women at the beginning of March will be played as a double match day in the Czech Republic.
“The European Handball Federation always strives to protect the integrity of its competitions and believes that a decision on the pitch is the best option”will EHF-President Michael Wiederer quoted in the statement: “At the same time, the safety of teams, players and officials has top priority.” Two games with Ukrainian and Russian participation had already been canceled in the past two weeks. For their rating have the EHF “legal procedures” initiated.
Source: red/dpa/sid