The 2027 European Airgun Championships have been moved from Tallinn to Granada, Spain, because Estonia refuses to allow citizens of Belarus and Russia to participate in the competition, ERR reports.
Under current Estonian legislation, citizens of Belarus and Russia are not permitted to take part in international sporting events held in the country. The European Shooting Confederation said the 2027 championships serve as qualification events for the 2028 Olympic Games and the 2027 European Games, meaning that all athletes eligible to compete must be able to participate.
“We understand that, in the case of Olympic qualification events, the European Shooting Confederation follows the principle that all eligible athletes must have the opportunity to compete. However, the Estonian Shooting Sport Federation adheres to the principles of the Estonian state and cannot allow citizens of Belarus or Russia to enter Estonia,” said Vahur Karus, president of the Estonian Shooting Sport Federation.
