The International Olympic Committee issued a statement on Russia's invasion of Ukraine on Friday, calling it a "breach of the Olympic Truce."
"The IOC Executive Board now recommends all International Sporting Federations to relocate or cancel any sports events currently scheduled in Russia or Belarus," the IOC stated in a statement Friday. "They should take the breach of the Olympic Truce by the Russian and Belarussian governments into account, and give the athletes utmost priority in terms of safety and security." The complete statement from the group may be found here.
The Olympic Truce began on February 4, seven days before the commencement of the Beijing Winter Games, and will finish on March 20, seven days after the conclusion of the Paralympic Games.
Andrey Rublev, the world's seventh-ranked tennis player, delivered an anti-war statement on television Thursday – literally. He made the switch after winning a semifinal match in Dubai.
Following the invasion of Ukraine, the UEFA Champions League Final was relocated from Russia to Paris, and the Russian Grand Prix was canceled.
A meeting of UEFA officials this morning confirmed the football decision that had been believed to be taking place all week, and the final will no longer be held on May 28 in St Petersburg's Gazprom Arena.
Covering Ukraine: Five American Journalists Discuss Their On-Air and In-Country Experiences As the Invasion Began
Instead, the European Football Federation has agreed to hold it in the Stade de France in Paris.
"We are watching the happenings in Ukraine with grief and shock, hoping for a quick and peaceful settlement to the current crisis," the statement added. "The Russian Grand Prix cannot be held under the current circumstances."
The Round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League club tournament is currently underway.
In a statement issued Thursday, UEFA stated that it "seriously condemns the ongoing Russian military incursion in Ukraine."
