Ukraine called on the organizers of the World Games to extend sanctions against Russia and Belarus.

The Ministry of Youth and Sports of Ukraine, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, and the Sports Committee of Ukraine addressed an official letter to the President of the International World Games Association, Jose Perurena Lopez. Ukraine called for the continuation of the ban on the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes in the XII World Games 2025, which will be held in Chengdu (China).

The letter emphasizes that the aggression unleashed by Russia and supported by Belarus continues, and Russian occupiers continue to commit atrocities against the Ukrainian people. During the full-scale invasion, Russia has already killed over 500 athletes and coaches and caused damage to more than 500 sports infrastructure facilities. Considering these facts, Ukraine insists on the continuation of sanctions against Russia and Belarus until the aggression stops and a comprehensive, just, and long-lasting peace is restored.

Representatives of Ukraine recalled the position of the International World Games Association, which in 2022 banned the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes in competitions. The Ukrainian side calls to maintain these restrictions in future competitions in 2025.

«We count on your continued solidarity with Ukraine and our sports movement», - says the joint letter signed by the Minister of Youth and Sports Matviy Bidny, Minister of Foreign Affairs Andriy Sybiha, and President of the Sports Committee of Ukraine Illya Shevlyak.

Let us remind you, dictator  Vladimir Putin was congratulated on his birthday by titled «neutral» Russian athletes who became heroes of a propaganda video.

You are the leader of our friendly country. You are the leader of the winners, the support of hundreds of millions of hearts», - note the authors of the appeal.

Participating in the filming of the propaganda video were:

• Olympic champion Alina Zagitova
• seven-Time Olympic champion Svetlana Romashina
• two-time Olympic champion Yana Egoryan
• two-time Olympic medalist Kliment Kolesnikov
• European champion Lala Kramarenko
• three-time Olympic champion Aleksandra Patskevich

It is worth noting that the International Olympic Committee does not recommend allowing Russian athletes who have been noticed supporting the war against Ukraine to participate in competitions.