MOSCOW, November 10, Oleg Bogatov. President of the International Sambo Federation (FIAS) Vasily Shestakov reported that the representatives of Russia and Ukraine at the World Championships in Yerevan are behaving correctly, no provocations are expected, but if they occur, the organization will take serious measures.
On Friday, FIAS reported that the organization’s executive committee decided to refuse to shake hands before and after the Ukrainians’ fights with the Russians and Belarusians at the tournament in Armenia. The President of the All-Russian and European Sambo Federation Sergei Eliseev told the agency that this initiative came from the Ukrainian national federation. The World Championships take place on November 10-12. The Ukrainian team did not compete at the European Championships in Serbia in September 2022, and at the World Championships in Kyrgyzstan in November due to the participation of sambists from Russia and Belarus in the competition.
“The fact is that this decision was made not only by us, but also by many other international sports federations, where a similar situation has developed. In particular, in wrestling and other sports,” Shestakov said, commenting on the decision of the FIAS executive committee. “So far, no «There are no conflict situations (between Russians and Ukrainians) at the World Championships; everyone behaves correctly. And we do not expect any provocations. And if there are any, we will take appropriate measures.»
«As for sports and relations between countries, wars used to stop when the Olympic Games were held. Athletes are present here, and maybe this will somehow influence the conflict to strive for a peaceful end. Because Contacts between people are still necessary: all wars end, but countries remain, and people will need to somehow establish contacts. And sport is one of the bridges through which these contacts can be established,» added the FIAS President.
Athletes in Armenia will compete for sets of medals in 21 weight categories (14 among men and women in the sports variety of sambo, seven in combat among men).