Boston Marathon BANS Russian and Belarusian runners while barring expats from competing under those countries' flags: 'We must show our support to the people of Ukraine'
- In response to the war in Ukraine, the Boston Marathon has banned runners from Russia and Belarus, even if they've been previously accepted to compete in 2022
- Expats from those countries are banned from competing under their native flags
- Boston Athletic Association president and CEO Tom Grilk said in a statement: 'We must do what we can to show our support to the people of Ukraine'
- The B.A.A. will also provide all Ukrainians who are registered in the marathon or 5K and are unable to compete with a refund or option to defer to a future year
- Russian and Belarusian athletes have been banned from competing in multiple sports, including FIFA's World Cup qualifying, because of the invasion
- Recently the International Biathlon Union did the same, saying the two countries 'have violated the humanitarian obligations for member federations'
- The Boston Marathon has been dominated by Kenyan and Ethiopian runners for the last 25 years, but three Russian women have won the prestigious race
By ASSOCIATED PRESS and ALEX RASKIN SPORTS NEWS EDITOR FOR DAILYMAIL.COM
PUBLISHED: 06:27 AEST, 7 April 2022 | UPDATED: 02:41 AEST, 8 April 2022
In response to the war in Ukraine, the Boston Marathon has banned runners from Russia and Belarus, even if they've been previously accepted to compete in 2022, organizers announced Wednesday.
The exclusion from the world's oldest annual marathon also extends to athletes previously accepted into the B.A.A.'s 5K event. However, it doesn't affect Russian or Belarusian athletes registered for the events who are not residents of the countries. They will be allowed to compete but won't be able to run under their country's flag.
'Like so many around the world, we are horrified and outraged by what we have seen and learned from the reporting in Ukraine,' B.A.A. president and CEO Tom Grilk said in a statement. 'We believe that running is a global sport, and as such, we must do what we can to show our support to the people of Ukraine.'
Runners make their way down Commonwealth Avenue during the 125th Boston Marathon on October 11, 2021. In response to the war in Ukraine, the Boston Marathon has banned runners from Russia and Belarus, even if they've been previously accepted to compete in 2022, organizers announced Wednesday
The exclusion from the world's oldest annual marathon also extends to athletes previously accepted into the B.A.A.'s 5K event. However, it doesn't affect Russian or Belarusian athletes registered for the events who are not residents of the countries. They will be allowed to compete but won't be able to run under their country's flag. 'Like so many around the world, we are horrified and outraged by what we have seen and learned from the reporting in Ukraine,' B.A.A. president and CEO Tom Grilk (pictured) said in a statement
The B.A.A. said it won't recognize the country affiliation or flags of Russia and Belarus until further notice. This year's Boston Marathon, 5K, and Invitational Mile do not include any professional or invited athletes from those countries.
Organizers said they will make reasonable attempts to refund entry fees to athletes no longer able to participate.
The B.A.A. will also provide all Ukrainians who are registered in the marathon or 5K and are unable to compete with a refund or option to defer to a future year.
Although the Boston Marathon has been dominated by Kenyan and Ethiopian runners for the last 20 or 30 years, three Russian women have won the prestigious race: Olga Markova in 1992 and 1993, Svetlana Zakharova in 2003 and Lidiya Grigoryeva in 2007.
Olga Markova of Russia holds flowers presented to her after winning the Women's Open at the Boston Marathon 19 April 1993 with a time of 2:25:27
Lidiya Grigoryeva of Russia crosses the finish line winning the women's division of the 111th running of the Boston Marathon April 16, 2007
The Boston Marathon is not the first event to weigh in on the war in Ukraine. Russian athletes have been banned from competing in multiple sports, including FIFA events, because of the invasion, while Belarusian athletes have also been banned because their country is an ally of Russia.
Recently the International Biathlon Union did the same, saying the two countries 'have violated the humanitarian obligations for member federations.'
The IBU also noted the Russian military invasion 'has stopped the activities of the Ukrainian Biathlon Federation' so it would be unfair for the 'attacking countries' to enjoy membership rights while biathlon in Ukraine is disrupted.
Also in late March, decorated distance runner and Ukrainian refugee Valentyna Veretska won the Jerusalem Marathon shortly after fleeing her country with her daughter to Poland before moving to Israel.
'I came to this marathon to make my voice heard, and call on everyone to unite to bring an end to the war,' she said in remarks, which were translated by organizers.
'I'm here physically but can't stop worrying,' she continued. 'I want everyone to understand this is real; there's a real war in Ukraine,' she said.
'I ran and thought about my homeland and the people there,' she said. 'As I ran, I heard them in my mind.'
Ukrainian runner Valentyna Veretska poses with the Ukrainian and Israeli flags after finishing first among the female group in the Jerusalem marathon in Jerusalem on March 25
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Boston Marathon BANS Russian and Belarusian runners