The International Biathlon Union Congress in Salzburg has approved an
Executive Board motion to suspend the National Federations of Russia
and Belarus "until they demonstrate their full commitment to
supporting and promoting the purposes and principles of the IBU."
The International Biathlon Union Executive Board has recommended that
members vote to extend the suspension of the Russian and Belarusian
National Federations at next month's Congress until they meet "certain
conditions" including "clearly distancing themselves from the war in
Ukraine."
Three-time Olympic cross-country skiing champion Alexander Bolshunov
has claimed "all sports would only benefit" from the return of Russian
athletes as they remain largely frozen out from the international
sporting arena.
Russian figure skating coach Tatyana Tarasova has accused
International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach of setting "the
whole world" against the country.