MOSCOW, July 25 President of the International Cycling Union (UCI) David Lapartian has warned the UK Sports Department that a ban on Russian athletes could reduce the chances of holding cycling competitions in the country.
Earlier, the head of the Russian Cycling Federation (FVSR), Vyacheslav Yekimov, said that Russian cyclists would not go to the World Championships in Glasgow (Scotland) because of the impossibility of obtaining British visas in a short time.
«»Given the UK's efforts and outstanding track record in hosting major international competitions, I feel compelled to express our concern that such action may affect the future evaluation of UK bids to host UCI events. I sincerely believe that in In any relationship, mutual trust is key, and the fact that the UK government is showing no signs of trust in our organization will affect our confidence in the country's commitment to organizing sporting events in the coming years,» Lapartian said in a letter to British Sports Minister Stuart Andrew, The Times.
In mid-July, Inside the Games reported that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) had abandoned plans to hold Olympic qualifications for the Paris Games in breaking, skateboarding, sport climbing and BMX freestyle in London due to the position of the British authorities regarding Russian athletes.
Earlier, the British government decided that Russian and Belarusian athletes will be allowed to compete in the country only if they sign a declaration of neutrality.