Accessibility links

Breaking News

Czechs Ban All Russian Athletes From Local Competitions


Russian players stand on the ice after losing the U20 Ice Hockey Worlds gold medal match between Canada and Russia in Ostrava, Czech Republic, in January 2020.
Russian players stand on the ice after losing the U20 Ice Hockey Worlds gold medal match between Canada and Russia in Ostrava, Czech Republic, in January 2020.

The Czech government said late on June 28 it had banned all athletes representing Russia from taking part in local competitions as the Russian invasion of Ukraine continued. The government said it banned "the participation of individual athletes and sports teams representing the Russian Federation in sports competitions and games organized on Czech soil." At the same time, athletes and teams representing the Czech Republic must not take part in competitions held in Russia, it added in a statement.

RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.

If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.

To find out more, click here.

XS
SM
MD
LG