Фото: facebook.com/WorldPentathlon
The International Union of Modern Pentathlon (UIPM) has stripped Lithuania of the right to host a Modern Pentathlon World Cup stage in 2027 because of restrictions imposed on athletes from Belarus and Russia, 15min.lt reports.
The World Cup stage was scheduled to take place in Kaunas on April 13–17, 2027. The official decision to cancel the event in Lithuania was made at a meeting of the UIPM Executive Board a week ago.
The president of the Lithuanian Modern Pentathlon Federation, Justinas Kinderis, said the decision did not come as a surprise.
“It is sad, because we would like our many years of work organising championships and winning medals to be better respected and understood. We expected a basic level of human understanding, but we did not see any appreciation of our federation’s position,” he said.
UIPM President Rob Stull cited recommendations from the International Olympic Committee in his explanation, according to which athletes from Belarus and Russia are permitted to compete under their countries’ national flags.
More than a month ago, Lithuania’s Ministry of Education, Science and Sport said that recommendations advising Lithuanian national sports organisations not to admit athletes from aggressor countries to competitions held in Lithuania remained in force. If Belarusian and Russian athletes do take part in competitions, they must sign a declaration condemning Russia’s military actions against Ukraine and are not allowed to compete under their countries’ national flags.