Ukrainian athletes urge IOC to sanction Russian, Belarusian Olympic, Paralympic Committees

Earlier this month, Ukrainian skeleton rider Vladyslav Heraskevych flashed a sign at the Olympics: «No war in Ukraine.» On Sunday, he was hunkered down about 150 kilometers (93 miles) outside of his nation's capital with weapons nearby in case he needs to defend his country.

«I am a student,» the 23-year-old said in a phone interview with The Associated Press. «I am not experienced in these type of things. But I am ready to stand strong and help in any way I can.»

With Russian troops encircling the capital of Kyiv, Heraskevych was among some four dozen athletes from Ukraine and elsewhere who sent an open letter to Olympic and Paralympic leaders, urging them to immediately suspend the Russian and Belarusian Olympic and Paralympic Committees.

«Russia's invasion of Ukraine, supported by Belarus, is a clear breach of the Olympic and Paralympic Charters — a breach that must be met with strong sanctions,» said the letter addressed to IOC president Thomas Bach and his counterpart on the International Paralympic Committee, Andrew Parsons.

The letter said more Ukrainians would have signed the letter but «it has been a challenge to speak with all athletes from Ukraine as they are seeking safety in bomb shelters.»

The advocacy group Global Athlete helped coordinate the letter, which also was signed by sliders from the United States, Latvia and the Netherlands, members of the Russian fencing team and the Belarus Sport Solidarity Athletes Federation.

The International Olympic Committee has condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine, saying it violated the Olympic Truce. It has called on international federations to cancel or move events planned in Russia and Belarus and to stop using the countries' flags and national anthems.

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