Executive board sanctions Russian and Belarusian flags and anthems

World Archery’s executive board has voted to remove the Russian and Belarusian national flags and anthems from all international tournaments in condemnation of the breaking of the Olympic truce and the current crisis in Ukraine.

The sport currently has no events planned in and no future events will be awarded to either country.

Executive board member Vladimir Esheev, who is also the president of Russia’s national archery federation, was not invited to the discussion or vote.

The World Archery Para Championships are currently taking place in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

There is a delegation of independent athletes competing at the event under the flag of the Russian Archery Federation, an arrangement in place due to ongoing clean sport sanctions (implementing a decision made by the Court of Arbitration for Sport).

World Archery is actively supporting the team participating from Ukraine.

The organisers of the championships have contributed additional accommodation in Dubai as the situation develops, while travel and safe shelter is being arranged with the National Paralympic Committee of Ukraine and supportive neighbouring archery federations.

World Archery will continue to provide humanitarian support to members of the archery community affected by this crisis wherever possible.