International Biathlon Union suspends Russia and Belarus over invasion of Ukraine

The IBU joins a long list of organizations and events to exclude Russian and Belarusian athletes over the ongoing war in Ukraine

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Biathlon - IBU World Cup
Biathlon - IBU World Cup Holmenkollen - Holmenkollen, Norway - March 18, 2022 Czech Republic's Marketa Davidova in action during the women's 7.5km sprint Terje Bendiksby /NTB via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. NORWAY OUT. NO COMMERCIAL OR EDITORIAL SALES IN NORWAY.

The International Biathlon Union (IBU) suspended the Russian and Belarus national federations due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The IBU noted it would be rather unfair for the Russian and Belarus national federations to continue to receive IBU membership due to their countries actions in disrupting the lives of their Ukrainian counterparts.

The IBU said both national federations have “violated the humanitarian obligations” which have dishonored the spirit of the sport.

“These violations...bring the IBU and the sport of biathlon into disrepute,” the IBU said in a statement.

Biathlon - IBU World Cup
Biathlon - IBU World Cup Holmenkollen - Holmenkollen, Norway - March 18, 2022 Norway's Tiril Eckhoff celebrates winning the women's 7.5km sprint with second place Austria's Lisa Theresa Hauser and Norway's Marte Olsbu Roiseland finishing third Terje Bendiksby /NTB via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. NORWAY OUT. NO COMMERCIAL OR EDITORIAL SALES IN NORWAY.

More than a month into the Ukraine war, millions of citizens have been displaced and thousands others have been killed.

Russia has called its invasion a “special operation mission to disarm and denazify those who have infiltrated the political structure of Ukraine.”