The executive board of the International Olympic Committee is asking all international sports federations to cancel or move any events currently planned for Russia or Belarus.
In a statement issued Friday, the board said Russia violated the Olympic Truce with its early morning invasion of Ukraine on Thursday and that Belarus also was in violation by supporting the actions ordered by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The IOC also is urging organizers of upcoming events not to display the flags or play the anthems of the two countries.
Already on Friday, the International Ski Federation canceled six upcoming World Cup events throughout Russia scheduled through March 20, and Formula 1 called off the Russian Grand Prix slated for Sept. 25. The UEFA moved the Champions League from St. Petersburg to Paris on Thursday.
The IOC executive board said in its statement issued Friday that it expressed “its deep concerns about the safety of the members of the Olympic Community in Ukraine and stands in full solidarity.”
The IOC added that a special task force stands ready to work with the Olympic community in Ukraine to “coordinate humanitarian assistance where possible.”
The Olympic Truce began seven days before the start of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics on Feb. 4 and is set to end seven days after the closing of the Paralympic Winter Games on March 13.
–Field Level Media