On Friday, the executive board of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) encouraged international sports federations to relocate or cancel all events planned in Russia and Belarus following the invasion of Ukraine.
Russia began an invasion of Ukraine earlier this week, according to the Ukrainian government, with forces moving in from the north, east and south. Airstrikes and bombings were also reported with threats mounting against the capital of Kyiv, a city of 2.8 million people.
In a statement, the IOC cited the “safety” and “security of athletes as a top priority and its reason for urging international sports federations to act swiftly and make the move.”
“In addition, the IOC EB urges that no Russian or Belarussian national flag be displayed and no Russian or Belarussian anthem be played in international sports events which are not already part of the respective World Anti-Doping Agency sanctions for Russia.”
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The invasion of Ukraine is still evolving. Ukraine’s President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, said early Friday local time that at least137 people had been killedand 316 were wounded,according toreports.
Many of those killed appear to be soldiers, per the AP, citing earlier figures that 40 Ukrainian soldiers were among the dead. However, there were also reports of civilians who were killed,including at leastone young child. NBC News reported the figures also include medical staff. The extent of Russian casualties remained unclear.
Putin insists Ukraine has historic ties to Russia and he is acting in the interest of so-called “peacekeeping.”
source: people.com
