Ukraine is preparing official appeals to the International Weightlifting Federation and the International Olympic Committee over the decision to grant Russia the right to host the Weightlifting World Championships in 2030.
This was reported by Ukraine’s Minister of Youth and Sport, Matvii Bidnyi.
The Ukrainian side is calling for the decision to be reviewed and for a new, transparent selection process to be held to determine the country that will host the championship. The minister also plans to raise the issue with international partners, including at the nearest official events involving sports ministers from Council of Europe and European Union countries.
Ukraine’s aim is to unite the international position and urge the sporting community to speak out publicly against holding the championship in Russia.
Matvii Bidnyi stressed that staging international competitions on the territory of Russia, which continues its war against Ukraine, is unacceptable. He also drew attention to Russian strikes on Ukrainian cities and energy infrastructure.
"And against this backdrop, the international federation is proposing that the global sporting community gather in Moscow, from where orders are given for these crimes. In effect, to turn a blind eye to them," the minister said.
According to him, hosting the championship could become a tool of propaganda for the Kremlin and a means of politically rehabilitating Vladimir Putin.
"It is a dangerous signal that a country can continue a war while at the same time returning to international sport. It encourages impunity and shows contempt for the principles that world sport is meant to uphold," Bidnyi emphasised.
The minister assured that Ukraine will use all available mechanisms and continue working with international partners to secure the reversal of the decision to hold the Weightlifting World Championships in Russia.
- Initially, the IWF revoked neutral status for weightlifters from Russia and Belarus at youth level, and in June the restrictions were extended to all age groups.
- In October, a notice appeared on the IWF’s official website about the 2030 Weightlifting World Championships being held in Moscow.