MXGP DROPS RUSSIAN GRAND PRIX—AS DOES FORMULA 1, OLYMPICS, SOCCER, SKIING, HAAS RACING AND SEBASTIEN VETTEL

The sports world, famous for being insulated from world events, has responded to Russia’s invasion of the Ukraine.

The Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) and the MXGP promoters have announce that they have pulled the May 1, 2022, Russian 250/450 Grand Prix from the 2022 World Motocross Championship schedule out of protest for Russia’s invasion of the Ukraine. MXGP says that a replacement Grand Prix will be announced soon.

Additionally, Formula One has canceled the Russian Grand Prix scheduled for September 25, 2022, following Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine. F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali and the management of ten F1 teams discussed the status of the race and dropped the race from the F1 schedule in protest to Russian invasion of the independent country of the Ukraine. F1’s press release said, “We are watching the developments in Ukraine with sadness and shock and hope for a swift and peaceful resolution to the present situation. On Thursday evening Formula 1, the FIA, and the teams discussed the position of our sport, and the conclusion is, including the view of all relevant stakeholders, that it is impossible to hold the Russian Grand Prix in the current circumstances.”

The Haas F1 team has removed Russian sponsor Uralkali from its Formula One cars. Hass’ driver lineup is Mick Schumacher and Nikita Mazepin, the only Russian driver in F1 (who’s father just happens to own Uralkali). The Haas and FI decision was prompted when four-time World Driving Champion Sebastian Vettel said he would not race at the Russian Grand Prix in September because of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) condemned Russia for invading Ukraine on Thursday, saying the Russian government had breached the Olympic Truce that
began seven days before the start of the Beijing Winter Olympics on February 4th , ends seven days after the closing of the March 4-13 Paralympic Games. This Olympic Truce was a United Nations resolution that was adopted by the UN General Assembly on December 2, 2021 by consensus of all 193 UN Member States.

The UEFA soccer federation officially voted Friday to remove the 2022 Champions League Final from St. Petersburg, Russia, and give it to Paris over Russia’s military conflict with Ukraine. The Final will now take place in the Stade de France on May 28. Additionally, Sweden, Poland and the Czech Republic jointly announced their refusal to play any upcoming World Cup qualifying playoff matches in Moscow and called on FIFA to move them from Russia.

The Manchester United soccer club dropped its sponsorship with Russian airline Aeroflot following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. A Manchester spokesman said, “In light of events in Ukraine, we have withdrawn Aeroflot’s sponsorship rights. We share the concerns of our fans around the world and extend our sympathies to those affected.” Additionally the United Kingdom banned Aeroflot from entering the country.

The International Ski Federation (FIS) stripped all remaining 2021-22 World Cup events from Russia, while the Norwegian Ski Federation banned all Russians from competing in Norway-based events on Saturday for “violations of international law and attacks on the Ukrainian people.”

Photo: Dreamtime