The Ironman Group has today made a 'statement of solidarity' with Ukraine and announced the inaugural Ironman 70.3 St. Petersburg event in Russia will be cancelled.
The decision comes in light of the ongoing invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces.
In its statement, Ironman said: "The Ironman Group stands in solidarity with the people of Ukraine, our athletes and their community, and condemns the actions dictated by Russian leadership during this deeply troubling international crisis.
"The 2022 Ironman 70.3 St. Petersburg triathlon scheduled to take place on July 17 will be cancelled and registered athletes will receive further email communication."
The announcement comes a day after World Triathlon banned Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials from taking part in any triathlon events. As part of that decision, World Triathlon stated that the organisation would work with Challenge Family and Ironman in order to help them follow the recommendations of the International Olympic Committee that organisations do not arrange any sporting events in Russia or Belarus.
Challenge Family had already cancelled a planned event in Moscow and now Ironman has followed suit.
In addition, Ironman has stated: "[We] will disallow participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes in the 2022 Ironman 70.3 World Championship in St. George, Utah and our two Ironman World Championship events taking place in St. George and Kona, Hawaii."
Professional Russian and Belarusian triathletes will also be ineligible to race at any 2022 Ironman events, including this weekend's 70.3 in Dubai, while age-groupers will not be allowed to compete under either country's flag at any event this year, either.
The statement continues: "While we recognise the difficult situation created for Russian and Belarusian athletes by these steps, we believe these are necessary to protect the integrity of our events."
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