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Athletes multiply messages and strong gestures condemning the Russian invasion in Ukraine. Several competitions that were to take place in Russia have been relocated or even canceled.
One of the ten best tennis players in the world, Andrey Rublev, has expressed his opposition to the conflict in Ukraine. The Russian showed a brave gesture by writing “no war” on a camera. In France, athletes are also mobilizing. Volleyball players will boycott the Russian World Cup next August. “It will be without me”, announces Earvin Ngapeth, the star of the tricolor team. Some events in Russia have already been canceled, such as the Formula 1 Grand Prix in Sochi next September.
But it is football that is the focus. Sweden and Poland are refusing to play Russia in the 2022 World Cup play-offs.”It’s the right decision, I can’t imagine playing a game against the Russian team in a situation where there is armed aggression in Ukraine“, justified the Polish striker Robert Lewandowski. FIFA President Gianni Infantino has not yet decided: “We will soon communicate on the future of these play-off matches“. The Champions League final, which was to take place in Saint Petersburg, has also been relocated and will be played at the Stade de France.