BOSTON — Athletes from Russia and Belarus beforehand accepted to compete on this 12 months’s Boston Marathon who’re presently residing in both nation will not be allowed to take part, the Boston Marathon Association introduced Wednesday.
The exclusion from the world’s oldest annual marathon additionally extends to athletes beforehand accepted into the B.A.A.’s 5K occasion. However, it doesn’t have an effect on Russian or Belarusian athletes registered for the occasions who aren’t residents of the international locations. They might be allowed to compete however received’t have the ability to run beneath their nation’s flag.
“Like so many around the world, we are horrified and outraged by what we have seen and learned from the reporting in Ukraine,” B.A.A. president and CEO Tom Grilk stated in an announcement. “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.”
The B.A.A. stated it received’t acknowledge the nation affiliation or flags of Russia and Belarus till additional discover. This 12 months’s Boston Marathon, 5K, and Invitational Mile don’t embrace any skilled or invited athletes from these international locations.
Organizers stated they may make cheap makes an attempt to refund entry charges to athletes not in a position to take part.
The B.A.A. will even present all Ukrainians who’re registered within the marathon or 5K and are unable to compete with a refund or choice to defer to a future 12 months.