F1 Grand Prix and ski events in Russia scrapped after invasion

F1 Grand Prix and ski events in Russia scrapped after invasion.

The Russian Grand Prix in Sochi on Sept. 25 has effectively been cancelled following the invasion of the Ukraine, Formula One organisers have said.

F1 made the announcement shortly after European football governing body UEFA said it would move the Champions League final in May from St Petersburg to Paris.

“We are watching the developments in Ukraine with sadness and shock and hope for a swift and peaceful resolution to the present situation,” a statement from F1 said Friday.

“On Thursday evening Formula One, the [ruling body] FIA, and the teams discussed the position of our sport, and the conclusion is, including the view of all relevant stakeholders, that it is impossible to hold the Russian Grand Prix in the current circumstances.”

The statement appears to leave some wriggle room — should circumstances change — though there is very little of this given the huge run-up time needed to host F1 races.

Istanbul, which stepped in previously during coronavirus-impacted seasons, could again be used as a back-up though F1 did not immediately comment on potential alternatives.

“After close consultation with its stakeholders, FIS has decided that in the interest of the safety of all participants and to maintain the integrity of the World Cup, all remaining World Cup events scheduled to take place in Russia between now and the end of the 2021/2022 season will be cancelled or moved to another location,” a statement said.

Meanwhile, ski cross races in Russia’s Sunny Valley were cancelled this weekend, the governing body FIS said, and further events will not be held in the country.

Women’s ski jumping in Nizhny Tagil and Chaikovsky next month will be affected, as will cross-country races in Tyumen.

The German ski federation had already said that until further notice its athletes would not take part in events in Russia or Ukraine.

Finnish ice hockey club Jokerit Helsinki meanwhile said it would not take part in the play-offs for the eastern European KHL league.

Rather than meet Spartak Moscow on Tuesday, Jokerit will end their season early, they said.

And the European handball federation also said games due to be held in Russia and Ukraine would also be moved to neutral venues.