World Triathlon stands in absolute
solidarity with the Ukraine triathlon family and the entire country at this
time of grave international crisis. Following the recommendation by the
International Olympic Committee, World Triathlon Executive Board has unanimously
decided not to allow the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes or
officials in all international competitions or official events, following the
principles of the Olympic Charter. This decision will be reviewed by the
Executive Board at its monthly meetings in accordance with how the situation
evolves.
This extreme measure is taken to
protect the integrity and safety of all athletes participating in the events
and the integrity of the global sports competitions.
Regarding the recommendation of the
IOC not to organise any sports events in Russia or Belarus, World Triathlon had
previously suspended the Russian Triathlon Federation, due to the high number
of doping cases, in December 2021 for one year, and no events were permitted to
take place in the country in 2022. World Triathlon strongly condemns the
actions against Ukraine taken by Russia, through which the Russian government
also breaches the Olympic Truce.
World Triathlon will work with
Ironman and Challenge in order for them to follow these recommendations as
well.
World Triathlon has contacted all
National Federations, especially those closest to Ukraine or bordering the
country, as well as Europe Triathlon, to help coordinate our support to
Ukrainian athletes, coaches, officials and staff.
World Triathlon has set up an email
account (welcome@triathlon.org) where members of the Triathlon community in
Ukraine who are leaving the country or willing to do so, can reach out to find
families in other countries that are able to host them. The email address is
also available for all prospective host persons anywhere in the world who can
offer their support to those fleeing Ukraine. World Triathlon will keep all
contacts confidential but will help to put the parties in touch with each
other.
World Triathlon and Europe Triathlon
are coordinating support for those in need in Ukraine, as well as Ukrainian
athletes and entourage who are abroad and either looking for support while
unable to return to their country, or to relocate near the border awaiting
further development of the situation. World Triathlon has already received more
than 60 offers of assistance from all over the world from individuals, clubs
and Federations offering help, and we are already in touch with some Ukrainian
athletes and entourage that have requested this support.
World Triathlon has contacted the IOC
task force monitoring the situation to offer our help to coordinate
humanitarian assistance to members of the Olympic Community in Ukraine - and
more specifically the Ukrainian triathlon family - where possible. We will
continue to closely monitor the situation in Ukraine and how it affects our
community and events in the region. Athletes, officials, coaches, staff and the
TriathlonLive support personal based in Ukraine… you all have all our support
and we stand with you in these terrible times. Stay safe and take care.
ABOUT WORLD TRIATHLON
World Triathlon is the international
governing body for the Olympic and Paralympic sport of triathlon and all
related multisport disciplines around the world, including duathlon, aquathlon,
cross triathlon and winter triathlon. Triathlon made its Olympic debut in
Sydney 2000, with a third medal event, the Mixed Team Relay, added to the
programme at Tokyo 2020, while para triathlon was first added to the Paralympic
programme at Rio 2016. World Triathlon is proudly committed to the development
of the sport worldwide, with inclusion, equality, sustainability and
transparency at our core as we seek to help triathletes at all levels of the
sport to be extraordinary.
www.triathlon.org
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