Statement from British Cycling on the UCI and UEC response to the further invasion of Ukraine.

British Cycling chair Frank Slevin said:

“Following the IOC’s recommendations to international federations in response to Russia’s further invasion of Ukraine, I wrote to David Lappartient, president of the UCI, and Enrico della Casa, president of the UEC, asking them to suspend the Russian and Belarusian federations.

“British Cycling’s request included that:

• The UCI and UEC do not host and do not sanction any events (whether competition or Congress), which are currently scheduled or are likely to be scheduled, which would include Russia or Belarus;
• Athletes representing Russia and Belarus must not compete as individuals or as part of teams in UCI or UEC events;
• Representatives from Russia and Belarus are suspended with immediate effect from their positions on the management and organising committees within the UEC and UCI.

“We advised that, if these measures were not taken, British Cycling delegates would not be attending the UEC Congress in Odense this weekend. We also advised that British Cycling will not sanction the inclusion of any teams or individuals representing Russia or Belarus in any events organised by British Cycling or coming under the auspices of British Cycling.

“The UCI released a statement yesterday evening which confirmed significant measures in response to the situation in Ukraine, and we welcome those. However, they have not suspended the Russian and Belarusian federations, and Russian and Belarusian officials will still be permitted to hold positions on the UCI Management Committee and UCI commissions.

“Our cycling colleagues in Russia and Belarus are not responsible for the further invasion of Ukraine. Indeed, they may be as appalled as we are. However, in our view, it is simply wrong that Russian and Belarusian officials will be permitted places of honour and influence at the highest level of our sport while our colleagues in Ukraine live in fear for their homes and their families.

“As a consequence, British Cycling will not attend the UEC Congress in Odense this weekend and I have written to the UCI and UEC to repeat our request that the Russian and Belarusian federations are suspended and that Russian and Belarusian officials will not be permitted to hold positions on the UCI or UEC Management Committees, or their commissions.

“I am also acutely mindful of the responsibility British Cycling shares with the international cycling community to support our colleagues in Ukraine. With that in mind, I wrote yesterday to the president of the Ukrainian cycling federation, Andriy Grivko, to extend a hand of friendship and to offer help, where we can, to enable his riders and officials to continue to represent their country.”