The organization of the 2022 Men’s Volleyball World Cup, scheduled for August and September, has been withdrawn from Russia due to the war in Ukraine, the International Federation (FIVB) announced on Tuesday.
“Since the military invasion of Ukraine by Russia, the FIVB is very concerned about the worsening of the situation, and for the safety of Ukrainians. The board of directors has come to the conclusion that it would be impossible to prepare and organize the world championships in Russia because of the war in Ukraine,” the body wrote in a press release.
Respectively Olympic and world champions, France and Poland announced last weekend their intention to boycott this event if it were to be held in Russia. The new host country must be announced later, specifies the FIVB.
This decision is a new blow for Russian sport – the Russians won the Olympic silver medal in Tokyo – and comes in particular after the exclusion of the country from the play-offs for the next Football World Cup, at the end of the year in Qatar. .
Usually rather inclined to stay away from politics, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) recommended Monday to ban Russians and Belarusians from sports competitions.
In skiing, biathlon, ice hockey, Formula 1, but also rugby, boxing, swimming or badminton, measures banishing Russian and Belarusian athletes, but also canceling competitions or breaks sponsorship deals have multiplied since Russia invaded Ukraine last Thursday.