FINA, the international governing body for aquatics, has released a statement on the ongoing Russian aggression in Ukraine on Friday morning.
The statement expressed concern, but gave little other indication as to the governing body’s intentions surrounding four major aquatics events that are scheduled to be hosted in Russia later this year.
FINA is deeply concerned by the conflict in Ukraine. We remain committed to the development of peaceful understanding through international sport. We are aware of the concerns of our Aquatics community, competition schedule remains under constant review. Updates will be provided.
The statement by FINA came about half-an-hour after Formula 1 canceled the Russian Grand Prix of auto racing that is scheduled for September of this year.
“On Thursday evening Formula 1, the FIA, and the teams discussed the position of our sport, and the conclusion is, including the view of all relevant stakeholders, that it is impossible to hold the Russian Grand Prix in the current circumstances.”
A statement on the Russian Grand Prix pic.twitter.com/OZbbu9Z8ip
— Formula 1 (@F1) February 25, 2022
UEFA, the governing body of soccer in Europe, has pulled the Champions League final match from St. Petersburg and moved it to Paris. Russian and Ukrainian national teams and football clubs will play their home matches in UEFA competition on neutral territories until further notice. The International Ski Federation Cancels remaining 2021/2022 World Cup events in Russia
2022 FINA Hosting Calendar in Russia:
- April 8-10: FINA Artistic Swimming World Series, Leg 3
- April 8-10: FINA Diving World Series, Leg 1
- August 23-28: FINA World Junior Swimming Championships
- December 17-22: FINA World Swimming Championships (25m)
Russian forces continue to push toward the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv on Friday morning. Russian forces have entered the Obolon district to the north of the city, which is just a few miles from the city center, according to the Ukrainian Defense Ministry. At least one Olympic swimmer, Sergii Shevtsov, is in Kyiv with his wife, and does not plan to leave.
Young athletes are clever, mindful people. Not one single sane swimmer will go to Russia and race. I’m more than confident.
Hate to say it but isl is funded by an oligarch and may be a money laundering scheme so maybe we ought to think about that too
From what I understand, Grigorishin is Ukrainian and has suffered serious sanctions from Russia.
Should we ban Mazepin too?
Wish FINA would do the right thing, but not holding my breath…
Way to stall. It takes conviction to stand up for what’s right. Grow a backbone FINA.
What! The Russians clearly have sway over the IOC. I guess they have dirt and/or money held over FINA’s head, too. Shame.
Except that even the crooked IOC has now urged international sports federations to pull events from Russia and Belarus. Of course, that isn’t going to cost the IOC masters a penny or else the story would likely be different. I always had IOC then FIFA then FINA on the corrupt list. Can FINA take the top spot?
Never expected to see Formula 1 in a swimswam article
F1 leading the way despite their race not until September, love to see it. Hopefully FINA follows quickly. Really, this is a no-brainer.
“Conflict in Ukraine”??? Putin declared war! And they call it conflict. FINA is a joke 🤡
BTW, all men 18 to 60 years of age are locked in and ineligible to leave Ukraine so most of Ukrainian swimmers are here.