Ukraine demands the suspension of wrestlers supporting the war from the world championship.

Ukraine's Minister of Youth and Sports Matviy Bidny, President of the National Olympic Committee Vadym Guttsayt, and President of the Wrestling Federation Yuriy Kopytko have addressed their concerns to International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach and United World Wrestling President Nenad Lalovic. In their letter, they urge not to allow athletes from Russia and Belarus to participate in international competitions due to their support for the aggression against Ukraine.

Ukrainian officials have emphasized the inadmissibility of athletes from these countries participating in the World Championships in non-Olympic weight categories in Tirana, scheduled for October 28-31. They noted that several "neutral" athletes who have qualified for the tournament were previously involved in events supporting the war or expressed their support for Russian aggression.

Athletes such as Abdulrashid Sadulaev, Zaur Uguyev, and Iryna Kurachkina are mentioned among those spotted at propaganda events or supporting the war on social media. Ukrainian representatives call on the International Olympic Committee to maintain solidarity with the Ukrainian people and take measures to prevent Russian and Belarusian athletes from participating in international competitions while the war continues.

It should be noted that Ukraine's Ministry of Youth and Sports, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Sports Committee have addressed an official letter to the President of the International Association of World Games, José Perurena López. Ukraine urges the maintenance of the ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes participating in the 2025 World Games, scheduled to take place in Chengdu, China.

The letter emphasizes that the aggression initiated by Russia and supported by Belarus continues, with Russian occupiers committing atrocities against the Ukrainian people. Throughout the full-scale invasion, Russia has already killed over 500 athletes and coaches and caused damage to more than 500 sports infrastructure facilities. In view of these facts, Ukraine insists on maintaining sanctions against Russia and Belarus until the aggression ceases and a comprehensive, fair, and lasting peace is restored.

Ukrainian representatives reminded of the position of the International Association of World Games, which in 2022 prohibited the participation of athletes from Russia and Belarus in competitions. The Ukrainian side calls for these restrictions to remain in place for the upcoming games in 2025.

"We count on your continued solidarity with Ukraine and our sports movement," states the joint letter, signed by Minister of Youth and Sports Matviy Bidny, Minister of Foreign Affairs Andriy Sibiga, and President of the Sports Committee of Ukraine Illia Shevlyak.