As violence in Ukraine intensifies, athletes and sports organizations around the world are responding.
Here are some examples of the ways in which the sports world is dealing with conflict.
The Motor Sports Authority shall suspend the licenses issued to Russia and Belarus: Motorsport UK announced on Wednesday that licenses issued to Russia and Belarus had been suspended “with immediate effect”. The governing body of four-wheelers in the United Kingdom has said that no Russian or Belarusian licensed teams have been approved to compete in the country or to participate in motorsports. In addition, Russian and Belarusian national symbols, colors, flags on uniforms, equipment and cars will not be displayed at authorized Motorsport UK events.
“The entire Motorsport UK community condemns the military action of Russia and Belarus in Ukraine and expresses its solidarity and support for all those affected by the ongoing conflict,” said David Richards CBE, President of Motorsport UK.
“We are united with the people of Ukraine and the motor sports community after the invasion and the unacceptable actions that took place. It is time for the international motorsport community to act and show support for the people of Ukraine and our colleagues from the Automobile Federation of Ukraine (FAU).
NHL senators will play the Ukrainian national anthem before all home games
The Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League have pledged to play the Ukrainian national anthem ahead of the opening matches in every remaining home game this season.
To show support for the “brave efforts of the Ukrainian people”, Senators owner Eugene Melnik announced on Wednesday that the Ukrainian anthem would be performed alongside the national anthems of Canada and the United States.
The Senators have 13 games left from the regular season. The team’s next home game is on March 10.
“We are all Ukrainians,” said Melnik, a Canadian who said his parents were from Ukraine.
He continued in an open letter: “The unprovoked attack and unnecessary campaign, the economic and social destruction of a sovereign country is indescribable and unacceptable in a civilized world.
“And while the images from Ukraine show courage and resilience, they are also a cry for help.
The team is committed to helping raise money through raffles on the day of the game and to use its home arena for charitable causes to help humanitarian aid efforts.
The senators shared Melnik’s open letter on Twitter. You can read this here:
Swiss billionaire wants to buy the famous football team from the Russian billionaire
Swiss billionaire Hansorg Vis has said he wants to buy Chelsea FC from Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich.
In the days following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Abramovich announced that he plans to transfer the “management” of Chelsea Football Club to the trustees of the club’s charity foundation.
“I have always made decisions with the best interest of the club. I remain committed to these values. That is why today I am giving the trustees of the Chelsea Charitable Foundation the management and care of Chelsea FC. I believe that they are in the best position to take care of the interests of the club, the players, the staff and the fans, “Abramovich wrote in a statement.
Abramovich is believed to want to retain ownership of the club – which he has owned since 2003 – but is reportedly worried about possible UK sanctions and further damage to his reputation.
Weiss, who founded medical device company Synthes USA, says he and three others have received an offer to buy Chelsea from Abramovich, but there is no fixed selling price.
“I have to wait four to five days. At the moment, Abramovich wants too much. You know, Chelsea owes him two billion. But Chelsea have no money, “Weiss said.
EA Sports downloads Russian teams and clubs from video games: EA Sports will remove the Russian national team and all Russian club teams from FIFA 22, FIFA Mobile, FIFA online and NHL 22, the video game company announced on Wednesday.
“EA Sports stands in solidarity with the Ukrainian people and, with so many voices in the football world, calls for peace and an end to the invasion of Ukraine.” EA Sports FIFA said in a statement. “In line with our partners in FIFA and UEFA, EA Sports has begun processes to remove the Russian national team and all Russian clubs from EA Sports FIFA products, including FIFA 22, FIFA Mobile and FIFA Online. We will keep our communities up to date on all actions taken and thank players for their patience as we work through these updates. ”
EA Sports NHL added the following additional remarks: “Following the removal from the IIHF of all Russian and Belarusian national and club teams from IIHF competitions, we will remove these teams from NHL 22 in the coming weeks. We are with the people of Ukraine and join the voices around the world calling for peace.
Russian tennis player speaks out against violence in Ukraine: Russian tennis player Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova uses her platform as a professional athlete to condemn the conflict in Ukraine. “I just don’t want violence. Everything we want right now, our hearts are broken. We just want peace and love and to stop the violence, “Pavlyuchenkova told CNN.
“We don’t have to be at war.” It’s more about our future and our lives right now. At the moment, this is more than a sport, “she added.
Pavlyuchenkova, who shared it mood on Twitter, also offered support to his Ukrainian tennis colleagues. “I understand and sympathize with them and my heart is broken as much as they are. I also understand their position,” she said. “I just want the violence to stop.”