Boston Marathon banning all runners from Russia and Belarus after Ukraine invasion
The Boston Marathon won’t let any runners from Russia or Belarus compete in the event later this month due to the two countries’ invasion of Ukraine, the race announced on Wednesday.
The Boston Athletic Association also said that it will provide any Ukrainians who are registered to compete with either a full refund or the option to defer their participation to a future race.
“Like so many around the world, we are horrified and outraged by what we have seen and learned from the reporting in Ukraine,” BAA president Tom Grilk said in a statement. “We believe that running is a global sport, and as such, we must do what we can to show our support to the people of Ukraine.”
Any Russian or Belarusian citizens who are not residents of either country will still be allowed to compete this year, but can not do so under the flag of those countries.
The race’s move to ban athletes from either country is just the latest response in the sports world following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine earlier this year. Russia has been banned from competing in all international soccer matches, including the World Cup, and UEFA moved the Champions League final out of the country. The Paralympics banned both Russia and Belarus from the Games last month, and Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, a Russian oligarch, is selling the club due to backlash.
The Boston Marathon is set to take place on April 18.
