Runners living in Russia and Belarus will not be allowed to compete in the world’s oldest annual marathon this year, race organizers announced on Wednesday.
The Boston Athletic Association announced on Wednesday that Russians and Belarusians who were accepted into the 2022 Boston Marathon and reside in either country will no longer be allowed in the competition. Russian and Belarusian citizens who are not residents of either country will be able to compete but cannot run under those flags, according to the BAA.
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var _bp = _bp||[]; _bp.push({ "div": "Brid_49306563", "obj": {"id":"27789","width":"16","height":"9","video":"987818"} }); ","_id":"00000180-02ab-d029-abb4-4eafe22b0000","_type":"2f5a8339-a89a-3738-9cd2-3ddf0c8da574"}”>Video Embed“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 and CEO Tom Grilk said. “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.”
BAA races and events will not recognize the country affiliation or flag of Russia or Belarus until further notice, the Boston Marathon organizers said.
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The ban also extends to Russians and Belarusians residing in either country who had been accepted to the 2022 BAA 5K race.
This year’s Boston Marathon, 5K, and Invitational Mile races do not include any professional or invited athletes from those countries.
In an email to the Washington Examiner, the BAA said a total of 63 athletes residing in Russia or Belarus will be removed from the Boston Marathon and BAA 5K collectively. There are 24 athletes not residing in Russia or Belarus who will still be able to run, though not under either flag.
The BAA said it will make reasonable attempts to refund the athletes living in Russia or Belarus “within the constraints as imposed by federal and international sanctions.” Ukrainian athletes unable to compete in the 2022 Boston Marathon and the 5K race will also be offered a refund or the chance to enter a future race.
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The 2022 Boston Marathon is scheduled to be run on April 18. It will be the 126th running of the iconic race.
