The Ministry of Youth and Sports of Ukraine made an important announcement on Friday. Local athletes were banned from participating in tournaments with Russians and Belarusians. The authorities dealt a heavy blow to their own athletes.
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“Forbid official delegations of the national teams of Ukraine to participate in international sports competitions in which athletes from the Russian Federation and/or Belarus take part,” the order says.
A few important points:
- Violation of the order will lead the offending federation to deprivation of the national status (we read — they will take away funding);
This fact confirms the words of a member of the executive committee of the Olympic Committee of Ukraine Oleg Nemchinov. The official previously noted that the country's government banned athletes from participating in qualifying competitions for the 2024 Games. After all, despite Russia's sanctions from the International Olympic Committee (IOC), some representatives of our country have a chance to travel to Paris.
Ukrainians can also miss tennis tournaments. There, Russians and Belarusians are an integral part, and often the favorites. The new law is able to influence competitions in boxing, wrestling, fencing. Even Ukrainian MMA fighters are under threat.
The biggest shock could be missing out on the 2024 European Football Championship. Yes, Russia is still suspended from UEFA tournaments and will definitely not go to the German Euro. But here is Belarus. The neighboring country has long gone through the qualifying round draw and recognized the opponents.
- Group C: Italy , England, UKRAINE, North Macedonia, Malta;
- Group I: Switzerland, Israel, Romania, Kosovo, BELARUS, Andorra.
Moreover, the qualifying tournament has started. The Ukrainians on the road lost to the British (0:2), and the Belarusians were defeated by Switzerland (0:5) and were defeated by Romania (1:2).
Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports tried to clarify the position of officials Ukraine Matvei Poor. He noted that in each individual case, the position of the federation and how it «defends the interests of the state in difficult times» will be considered.
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“Today there is speculation that we are washing our hands and making space for the Russians. It's not like that at all. The absence of athletes at the competition does not mean the end of the fight. No one said that we would not go there and would not fight for the rights and emphasize the inadmissibility of Russia's participation in international tournaments. We are working out a mechanism for how this will be done,» Poor explained unconvincingly.
About Euro 2024. The Deputy Minister shifted responsibility to the Ukrainian Football Association (UAF). Like, Ukraine and Belarus are defined in different groups and will not intersect directly within the framework of one event.
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“It is unacceptable for our football players to go to the same site, look into the eyes and shake hands with the aggressor,” Bedny is sure.
Will the Ukrainian stars agree with him? Are they ready to give up the chance to get to the main European tournament? There are doubts.
* * *It is worth noting that the IOC has already reacted to the harsh decision of the Ukrainian authorities.
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"If this is implemented, it will only harm the Ukrainian sports community and will in no way affect to the cessation of hostilities, which the IOC so vehemently condemns. We have always argued that governments should not decide which athletes can participate in international competitions, «Sport was told in the committee's press service.
The IOC also pointed out that the implementation contradicts the position of a number of Ukrainian athletes and other members of the Olympic community. Because they oppose boycotts.