Russian and Belarusian athletes will not be allowed to take part in this year’s Boston Marathon, organizers said on Wednesday.
Runners previously approved to represent the countries at the 2022 Boston Marathon and currently residing in either country will no longer qualify, the Boston Athletic Association said. The ban also applies to the 2022 BAA 5K.
Citizens of Russia and Belarus who are not residents of either country are allowed to participate, but are not allowed to fly the flag of either country.
“Like so many around the world, we are appalled and outraged by what we have seen and learned from reporting in Ukraine,” BAA President and CEO Tom Grilk said in a statement. “We believe running is a global sport and as such we must do everything we can to show our support to the people of Ukraine.”
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which has supported neighboring Belarus, has resulted in both countries’ athletes being banned from competing at this year’s World Championships and Paralympic Winter Games.
The flags of Russia and Belarus will not be recognized until further notice, the BAA said.
The BAA added that it will make reasonable efforts to reimburse athletes affected by the ban and Ukrainian runners who have registered but are unable to compete due to the war.
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