Ukrainian Minister of Youth and Sports Matvii Bidnyi has strongly condemned the FIA’s decision to remove restrictions that had prevented Russian and Belarusian competitors from taking part normally in international motorsport. Matvii Bidnyi argues that the reasons which originally led to the measures have not disappeared and that, in his view, the situation has instead become even worse.
“The reasons why Russia was banned from international sporting competitions have not disappeared. Nothing has changed and, in fact, things have become even worse,” Matvii Bidnyi said, directly linking his criticism of the FIA to the continuing war in Ukraine.
The decision has placed renewed attention on the governing body’s policies towards Russian and Belarusian participants, with the FIA having revised the requirements governing their participation in international competition. Further developments involving the governing body can be followed through our FIA coverage.
Matvii Bidnyi attacks FIA decision over Russia and Belarus
Matvii Bidnyi described the situation in Kyiv shortly before making his comments, saying the city’s central railway station had been struck by a Russian drone only an hour earlier.
“The air-raid alert had only just ended. Our children, all of us, had just come out of the air-raid shelter. These attacks continue almost every day,” Matvii Bidnyi said.
The Ukrainian minister went on to argue that Russia continues its full-scale aggression, while Belarus continues to provide military support. Matvii Bidnyi said Ukrainian citizens are being killed every day and described the attacks as increasingly brutal.
Against that background, Matvii Bidnyi said he could not understand why international sporting policy should now be softened, adding that he believed people across Europe would also struggle to understand such a decision.
Ukraine highlights impact of war on its sporting community
The Ukrainian government has also highlighted what it describes as the devastating consequences of the conflict for sport in the country. According to the figures cited, 775 Ukrainian athletes and coaches have been killed since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, including racing drivers who competed under the Ukrainian Automobile Federation.
More than 925 sporting facilities have also been destroyed, according to the Ukrainian authorities.
Matvii Bidnyi then addressed the role of elite sport within Russia, arguing that it is deeply connected to the country’s military structures and state propaganda system. He characterised sport as one of Russia’s most significant mechanisms for what he described as “sportswashing”.
The criticism therefore goes beyond the immediate question of whether individual athletes and motorsport competitors should be permitted to take part. For the Ukrainian government, the issue also concerns the symbolic and political role that international sport can play while the war continues.
FIA decision compared with other international sports federations
The ban was introduced in February 2022 following the order to invade Ukraine and was removed on 3 August with a decision by the FIA World Motor Sport Council, following a similar step by the International Olympic Committee.
Matvii Bidnyi pointed out that not every major sporting organisation has followed the same approach, specifically citing World Athletics as an example of a federation maintaining a different position.
“When any federation lifts the ban and takes steps towards the aggressor, the terrorist state, it is always really, really sad. It is a huge disappointment for everyone in Ukraine. And we think it undermines the collective effort of pressure that the international community has built against the aggressor,” Matvii Bidnyi said.
The Ukrainian minister added that he had observed similar approaches from federations governing sports such as judo and weightlifting. By contrast, he described organisations in biathlon and athletics as strong and principled partners that, in his view, understand the responsibility of the international sporting community towards order and justice.
FIA explains its position on Russian and Belarusian competitors
Asked about the criticism, the FIA recalled that it had updated the requirements applying to Russian and Belarusian drivers, national teams, competitors and officials following a vote by the World Motor Sport Council.
The governing body said its position was in line with an announcement by the International Olympic Committee and updates introduced by other international sporting federations.
The FIA also confirmed that its prohibition on organising events and competitions in Russia and Belarus remains in place.
While the conditions affecting the participation of Russian and Belarusian competitors have been changed, that geographical restriction has therefore not been removed. The governing body also said it continues to monitor the situation in Ukraine closely and reserves the right to update its position again in the future.
The dispute consequently reflects a wider disagreement about the role international sporting organisations should play while the war continues. Matvii Bidnyi believes easing restrictions undermines the collective pressure placed on Russia and risks allowing elite sport to become a vehicle for normalisation. The FIA, meanwhile, has revised the participation requirements while retaining its ban on staging international competitions in Russia and Belarus.
Leave a Reply