Ukrainian taekwondo federation president Serhii Vasilchenko confirms the boycott, pointing to the presence of “athletes from attacking countries” and “military personnel” at the championships.
– First, the application form had a column “without nation”, that is, there is no nationality, so they did it smartly, says Vasilchenko, to the Ukrainian newspaper Tribuna according to Inside the games.
– Some of them are military personnel.
Taekwondo is one of several sports that have recently lifted the international ban against Russia and Belarus following the recommendation of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
According to the member of parliament, as well as the bronze medalist in the triple jump from the London 2012 Olympics, Olha Saladucha, the fact that Russians and Belarusians are allowed to participate in international championships is to support Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
– Letting in Russians, Belarusians and especially military personnel from these countries, even under a neutral flag, is support for murder and destruction in Ukraine, says Olha Saladucha and continues:
– The responsibility for this should be felt by every sports official in the world who chooses to cooperate with the warring countries.
Ukraine boycotted recent Judo World Cup in Doha since judokas from Russia and Belarus were allowed to participate. Russian Arman Adamian won WC gold in the 100-kilogram class and was praised afterwards by Russian President Vladimir Putin for the “leadership” he showed on the way to the gold.
The Taekwondo WC starts on 29 May.
Fact.Sports sanctions against Russia and Belarus
When the war in Ukraine broke out in February 2022, a largely unanimous sports world decided to fully or partially suspend athletes from Russia and Belarus from competing internationally.
At the end of January this year, the International Olympic Committee announced that it wants to “try to find a way” for Russians and Belarusians to participate in the 2024 Paris Olympics and the 2026 Milan/Cortina Olympics.
The IOC recommends that athletes from these countries should be allowed to compete as neutrals. This means that flags may not be seen and that national anthems may not be played.
However, no definitive decision about the Olympics has been taken. Several problems remain to be solved, including the qualifiers.
After the IOC’s swing, table tennis, fencing, taekwondo, judo and golf, among others, have had their sanctions lifted. More sports are expected to follow.
At least 250 Ukrainian athletes have been killed in the Russian offensive. Ukraine threatens to boycott the Olympics if Russia and Belarus are allowed to participate.
Read more: Ukraine’s sports minister: “We will hold Thomas Bach personally responsible”
2023-05-19 10:02:02
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