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Russia cast into world sporting wilderness

Athletes from Russia and Belarus face isolation after a number of sports acted on the IOC's recommendation to suspend teams and individuals from competition.

The sporting world has closed its doors to Russia after the invasion of Ukraine.

FIFA and UEFA have swiftly acted on the recommendation of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) that the country's athletes be barred from international events, imposing a temporary expulsion for Russia from all club and national fixtures.

It means, unless troops are soon withdrawn and a peace settlement agreed, Russia will be barred from qualifying for this year's men's World Cup and excluded from the Women's European Championship.

The Football Union of Russia said in a statement that it would "reserve the right to challenge" the decision.

"I feel sorry for my boys," Russia coach Valery Karpin said.

"They were dreaming about playing at the World Cup. Now their hope is gone."

The recommendation from the IOC, which in addition stripped Russian President Vladimir Putin of the Olympic Order, also applied to athletes from Belarus, from where some Russian forces are entering Ukraine, and officials from both nations.

The IOC said it acted "with a heavy heart" but noted that the impact of war on Ukrainian sports and athletes who cannot now take part in competitions outweighed the potential damage done to athletes from Russia and Belarus.

It added that under exceptional circumstances athletes could compete as neutrals. The world aquatic governing body FINA subsequently said they would allow this.

The IOC's statement came shortly before the Winter Paralympics, which start on Friday.

Ukraine have announced their 20-strong team will be able to travel to Beijing. The International Paralympic Committee is meeting Wednesday to to discuss the participation of Russian athletes.

The International Ice Hockey Federation on Monday suspended Russian and Belarusian teams from its competitions until further notice and revoked Russia's 2023 World Junior Championship hosting rights while the NHL suspended ties with its Russian business partners.

The International Skating Union said that competitors from Russia and Belarus will not be allowed to compete at its international events until further notice

World Rugby suspended Russia and Belarus from all international events and cross-border club rugby, and suspended the Russian Rugby Union's membership.

That directive effectively ended the bid by Russia's men's team to qualify for the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.

Volleyball's governing body has said it will seek a new host for the World Championships which were to be held in Russia August 26-September 11.

Badminton's world governing body cancelled all sanctioned tournaments in Russia and Belarus.

The Norwegian ski federation have barred athletes from Russia and Belarus from World Cups in the country this month, taking the decision after the governing body said they could not themselves enforce a ban.

Ukrainian sports bodies have called for individuals to be barred from competing in events.

This would jeopardise new tennis men's No.1 Daniil Medvedev from defending his position and the F1 season of Haas driver Nikita Mazepin.

FIFA and European governing body UEFA issued a joint statement suspending the participation of Russian teams in their competitions "until further notice".

Russia are due to compete this month in World Cup play-offs, initially against Poland, then either Sweden or Czech Republic. All three countries have refused to play Russia.

The move meant Spartak Moscow were expelled from the Europa League.

German coach Markus Gisdol quit Lokomotiv Moscow citing the invasion but compatriot Sandro Schwarz will continue at Dynamo Moscow.

Putin has also been stripped of his honorary taekwondo black belt by World Taekwondo and the International Judo Federation is to suspend Putin's status as honorary president and ambassador.

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