International Biathlon Union suspends Russia, Belarus over Ukraine war

By Muhammed Enes Calli

ANKARA (AA) – The International Biathlon Union (IBU) on Tuesday announced it has suspended Russia and Belarus with immediate effect over the war in Ukraine.

The national federations of Russia (RBU) and Belarus (BiFB) “have violated the humanitarian obligations for member federations under the IBU Constitution,” read a statement.

“These violations by RBU and BiFB bring the IBU and the sport of biathlon into disrepute, and their active membership would undermine the IBU’s and its members’ efforts to promote its constitutional principles and purposes with credibility,” the statement said.

The IBU’s Executive Board will closely monitor the situation and review the decision if circumstances change, it added.

Russia’s war on Ukraine, which began on Feb. 24, has drawn international outrage, with the EU, US and UK, among others, implementing tough financial sanctions on Moscow.

At least 1,151 civilians have been killed in Ukraine and 1,824 injured, according to the UN, which has cautioned that the true figure is likely far higher.

More than 3.87 million Ukrainians have also fled to neighboring countries, with millions more displaced inside the country, according to the UN refugee agency.