B.A.A. BANS RUNNERS FROM RUSSIA
Biden announces new sanctions against Putin’s regime, family
Boston Marathon organizers are banning Russian athletes from competing in this month’s race, another sanction for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as President Biden rolled out new penalties against President Vladimir Putin’s regime and family.
The Boston Athletic Association on Wednesday also announced that Russians who were accepted into the B.A.A. 5K as part of the open registration process will no longer be allowed to compete in the marathon weekend event.
The same rules apply for Belarusians who are living in Belarus — a country that has been helping Russia in its relentless attack on Ukraine. In total, 63 athletes will be removed from the marathon and 5K.
“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 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.”
Russian and Belarusian citizens who were accepted into the Boston Marathon or B.A.A. 5K as part of the open registration process but are not residents of either country will be able to compete. These athletes, however, will not be able to run under the flag of either country.
The B.A.A., its races and events will not recognize the country affiliation or flag of Russia or Belarus until further notice.
The Boston Marathon, B.A.A. 5K and B.A.A. Invitational Mile do not include any professional or invited athletes from Russia or Belarus.
The BAA said it will make “reasonable attempts” to refund the athletes from Russia or Belarus who will no longer be able to participate, within the constraints as imposed by federal and international sanctions.
The B.A.A. had previously announced that all Ukrainians who are registered for the Boston Marathon or the B.A.A. 5K and are unable to compete have the option to get a refund or defer to a future year.
Meanwhile, the U.S. is joining other nations in applying additional severe sanctions against Putin’s regime. The White House on Wednesday announced sanctions against Sberbank, Russia’s largest financial institution, and Alfa Bank, the country’s largest private bank.
Sanctions were also announced against Putin’s adult children, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s wife and daughter, and former President and Prime Minister of Russia Dmitry Medvedev and Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin.
“I’m sure you’ve seen the pictures, from Bucha and outside of Kyiv,” Biden said from the White House. “Bodies left in the streets as Russian troops withdrew, some shot in the back of the head with hands tied behind their backs. Civilians executed in cold blood.”
Ukrainian officials have said some of those killed showed signs of having been tortured before death and that mass graves have been found.
“There’s nothing less happening than major war crimes,” Biden said. “Responsible nations have to come together to hold the perpetrators accountable.”
According to the White House, experts predict the sanctions already put in place as a result of the invasion will result in a 15% contraction of the Russian economy and have already caused a 15% increase in inflation there.