Ukraine minister condemns Motorsport’s decision to lift Russian ban

Ukraine’s sports minister has condemned motorsport’s decision to ease restrictions on Russian and Belarusian competitors, saying the reasons for the original ban remain in place.

Matvii Bidnyi was responding to the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile’s decision to lift restrictions introduced in February 2022 after Russia invaded Ukraine. The FIA World Motor Sport Council voted to remove the restrictions on August 3, following a similar move by the International Olympic Committee.

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The reasons why Russia was banned from international sports competition have not disappeared. Nothing changes and it became even worse.

“Russia continues full-scale aggression against Ukraine. Belarus can continue to provide military support to Russia. Ukrainian people are still being killed every day. And Russian attacks become more and more brutal,” Bidnyi said.

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When any federation lifts the ban and makes steps towards the aggressor, the terrorist state, it’s always really, really sad.

He argued that international sports organizations should not soften their policies while the war continues. Bidnyi said lifting bans weakened the collective pressure on Russia and described the decision as a major disappointment for Ukrainians. He also accused Russia of using elite sport for state propaganda, calling it a form of sportswashing.

Bidnyi pointed to World Athletics, biathlon and other athletics bodies as organizations that have maintained tougher restrictions. Ukraine’s government says the invasion has killed hundreds of athletes and coaches and destroyed hundreds of sports facilities.

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It’s a massive disappointment for everyone in Ukraine. And we think it undermines the collective pressure that the international community has been building against the aggressor.

The FIA said it continues to ban the organization of events and competitions in Russia and Belarus. It said the revised requirements for drivers, national teams, competitors and officials from the two countries followed the IOC’s decision and similar changes by other international federations.

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In Russia, elite sport is deeply connected with the military and state propaganda system. It’s one of the biggest whitewashing mechanisms. This is why we call it sportswashing.