The Board of IMSSC decided on Saturday, March 5, 2022 to exclude Russian and Belarusian master speed skaters with immediate effect from participation in skating events that fall under the responsibility of the IMSSC. This decision was taken because of the recent Russia incursion into Ukraine and Belarus’ involvement in it. The IMSSC Board condemns this raid in the strongest possible terms. Following the ISU, the IMSSC hereby endorses the IOC’s call for international sports organisations to exclude Russian and Belarusian athletes from participating in international sports competitions from now on.
This exclusion will last until the war between the Russian Federation and Ukraine has ended, the Russian Federation has withdrawn all its troops from Ukraine and the Russian Federation’s occupation of (parts of) Ukraine has ended.
On behalf of the Board of the IMSSC,
Tjeerd Smies
President
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