Search

Aussie divers, skiers in Russian boycott

Australia's divers and two aerial skiers have pulled out of events in Russia as Prime Minister Scott Morrison urged other sports to boycott the country.

Prime Minister of Australia SCOTT MORRISON.
Prime Minister of Australia SCOTT MORRISON. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

Australia's divers have pulled out of a competition in Russia and the nation's top junior swimmers could follow suit amid government pressure for sports to boycott Russia.

Australian aerial skiers Danielle Scott and Laura Peel are leaving Russia on Friday after the country's invasion of Ukraine.

The Winter Olympic skiers, at the behest of Australian officials, have withdrawn from a World Cup event in Yaroslav this weekend.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison is urging other sports and athletes to follow, directly placing pressure on Australia's Formula One ace Daniel Ricciardo to boycott the Russian grand prix.

Morrison says Russia should be stripped of hosting the F1 race in Sochi from September 23-25.

"The F1 should not be held in Russia, international tournaments should not be held there," Morrison told reporters in Adelaide on Friday.

"I commend those Australians that are saying they won't participate in anything that is occurring in Russia this year ... this is how you impose a cost on Russia that is invading its neighbour.

"We should be taking every step we can to ensure Russia pays a price in the international community for these violent and aggressive acts of invasion against Ukraine."

Diving Australia (DA) won't send athletes to a FINA World Series meet in Kazan from April 8-10.

"Diving Australia has been monitoring the situation for some time and, given the priority of athlete safety, will not be sending a team," a DA spokesman told AAP.

Australia's elite junior swimmers could withdraw from the world junior championships, also in Kazan, from August 23-28.

"The safety of our athletes remains our highest priority," Swimming Australia's chief executive Eugenie Buckley said in a statement to AAP.

"We will continue to monitor the situation and liaise with FINA."

F1 driver Ricciardo is yet to make a public comment on the government's boycott call.

But his German rival Sebastian Vettel, a four-time world champion and former Ricciardo teammate, has already said he won't race in Russia.

today's racing

Error occured
{{disciplineGroup.DisciplineFullText}}
{{course.CountryName || course.Country}}