Athletics

Factbox: Sports react to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

Published

3 years ago

March 2, 2022

A summary of some measures taken by sports federations following the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) recommendations to ban Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials from competing in events and to move or cancel any events set to take place in the two countries.

Belarus has been a key staging area for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

ARCHERY

World Archery said it would remove Russian and Belarusian flags and anthems from all international tournaments.

It added there are no events planned in the two countries and no future events would take place there.

ATHLETICS

World Athletics banned Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials from all events for the foreseeable future, and added that its council also agreed to consider further measures, including the suspension of the Belarus Federation.

BADMINTON

The Badminton World Federation (BWF) has banned all athletes and officials representing Russia and Belarus from participating in its events.

The decision follows the cancellation of all BWF events which should have taken place in the two countries and represents a step-up from its previous ban on Russian and Belarusian flags and anthems at the federation’s events.

BASKETBALL

The International Basketball Federation (FIBA) said it would ban Russian athletes and officials from its competitions until further notice.

FIBA’s top board will meet on March 25 to discuss whether to take further measures.

Euroleague Basketball suspended Russian teams CSKA Moscow, UNICS Kazan, Zenit St Petersburg, and Lokomotiv Kuban Krasnodar from participating in its championships.

“Should the situation not evolve in a favourable way, all regular season games versus Russian teams to be annulled to configure the leagues’ standings,” it said in a statement.

It also froze its sponsorship deal with Russia’s VTB Bank.

BIATHLON

The International Biathlon Union (IBU) said it would not allow athletes to represent Russia and Belarus at its events but would invite individual athletes from these countries to compete as neutrals.

CLIMBING

The International Sport Climbing Federation (IFSC) suspended the Boulder and Speed World Cup scheduled for April in Moscow.

It added it plans to relocate the event.

CURLING

The World Curling Federation proposed the introduction of a new rule which, if approved, would allow the federation to ban Russia from the upcoming World Championships.

It had previously resolved to move the 2022 European Curling Championship away from Russian city Perm.

EQUESTRIAN

The International Equestrian Federation (FEI) executive board called for all international events to be removed from Russia and Belarus.

FENCING

The International Fencing Federation (FIE) said it had implemented the IOC’s recommendation from Feb. 25 to move or cancel events in Russia and Belarus, adding that further discussions on the matter were taking place. read more

Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov resigned from his post as FIE president citing European Union restrictions following Russia’s invasion. read more

GYMNASTICS

The International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) cancelled all its events in Russia and Belarus, adding it would not allocate other events to the two countries until further notice.

“The Russian and Belarusian national flags must not be displayed, and the Russian and Belarusian anthems must not be played at any FIG-sanctioned events until further notice,” it said.

FIELD HOCKEY

The International Hockey Federation (FIH) excluded Russia from the Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup, which will take place in April in South Africa.

ICE HOCKEY

The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) banned Russian and Belarusian national teams and clubs from its competitions until further notice.

It also revoked Russia’s hosting rights to the 2023 World Junior Championship and will look for a new host in the next months.

JUDO

The International Judo Federation (IJF) cancelled the Grand Slam in Kazan, Russia, which should have taken place in May.

It also suspended Russian president Vladimir Putin’s status as honorary president and ambassador of the IJF.

KARATE

The World Karate Federation said it would relocate the 2022 Karate1-Premier League, originally schedule to take place in Moscow in October, to a new location.

MODERN PENTATHLON

The international modern pentathlon union (UIPM) said it would not allow Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials to take part in its competitions.

MOTOR RACING

Formula One said it would not race in Russia this season, saying it was “impossible” to do so after the country invaded neighbouring Ukraine.

A race scheduled for Sept. 25 at Sochi’s Olympic park will be dropped from the calendar for the first time since it debuted in 2014.

Motorsports’ governing body FIA condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine but said Russian and Belarusian drivers could compete in a neutral capacity, as long as they committed to its principles of peace and political neutrality.

ROWING

World Rowing banned Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials from its international competitions until further notice.

RUGBY

World Rugby banned Russia and Belarus from all international rugby and cross-border club rugby activities until further notice.

It also suspended the World Rugby membership of the rugby union of Russia until further notice.

SKATING

The International Skating Union said Russian and Belarusian skaters could no longer be invited or allowed to take part in international ice skating competitions.

SKIING

The International Skiing Federation (FIS) said Russian and Belarusian athletes will not participate in its competitions for the rest of the 2021-2022 season.

It also cancelled the remaining 2021-2022 events that were initially meant to take place in Russia.

SURFING

The International Surfing Association (ISA) said no athletes and officials from Russia would be invited to participate or attend its events until further notice.

SOCCER

FIFA and UEFA suspended Russia’s national teams and clubs from international football, a move which makes it likely that Russia will be excluded from this year’s World Cup and the women’s Euro 2020 tournament.

SQUASH

The World Squash Federation said it would relocate the 2022 World Junior Championship from St Petersburg to a different location.

SWIMMING

Swimming global governing body FINA called off the World Junior Swimming Championships that were to take place in Kazan, Russia.

TAEKWONDO

World Taekwondo said no Russian nor Belarusian flags and anthems would be displayed and played at its events, adding it would not also organise nor recognise events in Russia and Belarus.

It also revoked the honorary 9th dan black belt conferred to Putin in November 2013.

TENNIS

Tennis’s international governing bodies said Russian and Belarusian players could continue to compete in international events and the Grand Slams but no longer under the name or flag of their nations until further notice.

The International Tennis Federation (ITF) cancelled all of its events in Russia and Belarus.

It also suspended the countries’ ITF memberships, banning their federations from ITF international team competition until further notice.

VOLLEYBALL

World volleyball’s governing body FIVB said all Russian and Belarusian teams, clubs, officials, and athletes were not eligible to participate in international and continental events until further notice.

-Reuters

Athletics

Enhanced purse as ECOWAS Marathon marks ECOWAS’ 50th anniversary

Published

5 days ago

January 4, 2025

Kunle Solaja

The 2025 ECOWAS Abuja International Marathon, which is part of the activities to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of ECOWAS, will feature elite runners from all ECOWAS countries.

To mark the golden anniversary of the subcontinental economic bloc, the prize money for the sporting event has also tbeen increased.

According to Francis Chuks Njoaguani, Chairman of the Main Organizing Committee (MOC) of the race, there will also be other goodies for participants.

Njoaguani disclosed that participants in the people’s race, the 5 km fun run, which is to encourage ECOWAS citizens to exercise and make running a way of life because of its immense health benefits, will be the biggest beneficiary of the increase in prize money.

Njoaguani, who is also the director of the ECOWAS Youth and Sports Development Centre based in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, said, ” The 5 km fun run is special to us because we initiated it as part of the 21 km race so that more of our people will embrace the culture of walking, jogging, exercise, and running and make it part of their daily routine.

“That is why we have decided to increase the prize money for the 5km race from $750 to $1000 (about N1.7 million) to mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of ECOWAS and encourage our people to make running a way of life.

“We are not increasing the prize money for just the winner but all the top finishers as specified in the participants’ guide, we are also inviting elite runners from all ECOWAS countries”.

The ECOWAS Abuja International Marathon will be held on March 1, 2025, in Abuja, Nigeria.

The event, which features 21km and 5km categories, is expected to attract runners and fitness enthusiasts across the continent and beyond.

The 5km Race will begin at Eagle Square and end at the ECOWAS Commission in Asokoro Abuja, while the 21km (half-marathon) will start at the ECOWAS Commission and return to finish at the same location.

Race Director Gabriel Okon disclosed that the race is open to all categories of runners.

“The event is for elites and fun runners and other classes of fitness enthusiasts from across the continent, all vying for their share of over $71,000 in prize money.

“The marathon is not only a celebration of athleticism but also a showcase of unity and the vibrant spirit of the region.”

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Athletics

Nigeria runners prioritize the ECOWAS Marathon over other races because of its credibility

Published

2 weeks ago

December 28, 2024

Kunle Solaja

Nigeria elite marathon runners most of them members of the Jos-based High Altitude Athletics Club have revealed their priority for the year 2025- competing and winning the top ten positions at the ECOWAS Abuja International Marathon.

Their decision is based on the lucrativeness of the race, especially the 21 km and the organizers’ prompt payment of prize money.

Speaking to the media shortly before the Christmas break, Steve Nuhu the director of High Altitude Athletics Club and manager of most of the elite marathoners in Nigeria told correspondents that they have all agreed to prioritize the ECOWAS Abuja International Marathon.

Said Nuhu, “We all left Pankshin where we normally train a few days ago to spend Christmas and New Year with our families, by the special grace we will regroup the first week of the new year, and our focus for the new year is the ECOWAS Abuja International Marathon.

“We arrive at this conclusion because we have a very good chance of winning about eight of the top ten positions in the ECOWAS race because it is a half marathon. For example, if our club produce the winners of the men’s and women’s races that is $10,000.00 each which comes to about N40 million in today’s exchange rate we can’t get that kind of money elsewhere.

“Even if we place fourth or fifth in the ECOWAS Marathon, it is more rewarding financially than what we will get when we win a full marathon elsewhere, we are grateful to ECOWAS because their race is empowering us and lifting us out of poverty.’’

Nuhu also praised the organizer for the prompt payment of prize money and the general organization of the race,

“We also thank the management of ECOWAS Marathon for paying our prize money immediately after the race, we have never experienced a delay in the payment of prize money, it is always a great experience and exciting moment for our runners and we look forward to the 2025 edition with innate joy”

The 2025 ECOWAS Abuja International Marathon is slated for March 1, 2025. There are two races, the 21 km and the 5 km.

The 21 km will start and finish at the ECOWAS Commission, Asokoro and the 5 km race will start at the Eagles Square and also finish at the ECOWAS Commission.

Athletics

ECOWAS Abuja International Marathon Set for March 1

Published

3 weeks ago

December 19, 2024

Kunle Solaja

The Economic Community of West African States ECOWAS will be celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2025.

As part of activities to commemorate this significant milestone, the Commission is organising the 2025 ECOWAS Abuja International Marathon, which will be held on March 1, 2025, in Abuja, Nigeria.

The event, which features 21km and 5km categories, is expected to attract runners and fitness enthusiasts across the continent and beyond.

In a statement signed by the Director of Communications & Media of the ECOWAS Marathon Olukayode Thomas, the 5km Race will begin at Eagle Square and end at the ECOWAS Commission in Asokoro Abuja, while the 21km half-marathon will start at the ECOWAS Commission and finish at the Commission.

Race Director Gabriel Okon revealed that the race is open to all categories of runners.

“The event is for elites and fun runners and other classes of fitness enthusiasts from across the continent, all vying for their share of over $71,000 in prize money”.

“The marathon is not only a celebration of athleticism but also a showcase of unity and the vibrant spirit of the region.”

Okon expressed his enthusiasm for the event, describing it as an unparalleled opportunity to bring people together through sport.

“The ECOWAS Abuja International Marathon is more than a race; it’s a symbol of unity, empowerment and engagement of our youths and a celebration of healthy living. We are thrilled to welcome runners from across Africa and beyond to join this extraordinary event.”

Okon also revealed that the prize money for the 5km race has been increased, with the top ten finishers receiving cash prizes.

Registered runners will receive official race certificates, finisher medals, running vests, number bibs, participant guides, and other surprise gifts.

To register online, interested participants are to visit www.ecowasabujamarathon.org while forms can also be obtained from the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) and Athletics Associations offices nationwide or Sports Council offices in the area councils across the Federal Capital Territory.

The ECOWAS race has grown to become one of the most significant sporting events in the region, positioning Abuja as a hub for international athletics.

With its theme of fostering unity through sports, the event promises to be an unforgettable experience.