Danielle Generaux | Student Life Editor
March 4, 2022
Sports have united countries for centuries because anyone can play them. Athletes do not have to speak the same language as their opponents, and everyone is brought together by a common understanding of the rules of the sport. However, this sense of global community is not limitless. This year’s Winter Olympics were, to a degree, overshadowed by humanitarian crisis in China. Now that Russia has invaded Ukraine, the international sports community is even more divided as Russia faces the consequences of attacking a peaceful nation.
“Russia should not be invading Ukraine and we need to stop it by all means possible,” senior Izzy Duzman said. “President Biden talked about cutting off Russian banks, flights, and more just to economically hurt Russia (even more than they already are). By cutting off sports too, this brings a greater audience that supports Ukraine and ending the Russian invasion.”
One of the main sporting events that Russia and Belarus, a neighboring country that has openly sided with Russia, were banned from was the 2022 Paralympic Winter Games. After initially being allowed to participate, the International Paralympic Committee reversed the decision and barred them from participating.
Another main sporting event that barred Russia from competing is the 2022 Fifa World Cup in Qatar. Before Russia invaded Ukraine, they were only two wins away from qualifying for the World Cup. FIFA had originally proposed punishments such as banning Russia’s name, flag, and anthem, which are equivalent to those imposed for the recently concluded Winter Olympics. Yet, there was considerable opposition from a number of countries including Sweden, France, England, and the United States. They all stated that they would not play Russia under any circumstances, which prompted FIFA to adopt more drastic measures.
In the recently concluded Winter Olympics, the Russians dominated in figure skating. But, the recent actions of their country has prompted the International Skating Union to bar Russian and Belarusian athletes from participating in the figure skating world championships that begins on March 21, 2022 in France. This will prevent Kamila Valieva, the 15-year-old favorite from the women’s singles figure skating at the recent Winter Olympics, from getting redemption after testing positive for an illegal performance-enhancing drug. Teammate Anna Shcherbakova, the 17-year-old Olympic champion for women’s singles figure skating, will not be allowed to defend her 2021 world title.
Russian teams have been barred from other sports such as tennis, hockey, and race car, though individual Russian athletes are still allowed to compete as long as it is not for Russia.
“I think that Russia is being punished enough for their Ukrainian invasion,” senior Kristian Rorvik said. “They cannot trade with any of the major trading partners in the West, their currency is almost worthless, and Putin will almost certainly get the blame for this.”
Overall, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and Belarus’ support of Russia has caused retaliation in numerous sports, making Russia reflect on their actions. The consequences are a message to Russia that irresponsible and unnecessary violence will not be ignored.
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