Contents tagged with World Cup
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Five Russian bobsledders suspended from competitions because of doping
The International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (IBSF) suspended five Russian bobsledders from competition. The announcement was published on the organization’s website on Thursday, December 13. Alexandr Zubkov, Alexey Voyevoda, Alexander Kasjanov, Aleksei Pushkarev and Ilvir Huzin are accused of violating anti-doping rules during the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi. Zubkov is currently the head of the Bobsleigh Federation of Russia while Voyevoda has already retired from the sport.
The …
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Austrian police accused Russian biathletes of violating anti-doping rules
Austrian police have accused several Russian biathletes, as well as coaches, doctors and massage therapists of violating anti-doping rules at the 2017 Biathlon World Championships, TV sports presenter Dmitry Guberniev said on his Instagram account on Thursday.
"A few hours ago, the Austrian police contacted the Russian national team. Here is the list of athletes, coaches, doctors and massage therapists who were accused of violating anti-doping rules during the 2017 World Championships in …
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Media: Russian soccer players doped with ammonia in World Cup 2018
Bild, a German newspaper, has published material incriminating members of the Russian football team of doping to improve their physical condition during World Cup 2018 matches.
The newspaper claims that the Russian players inhaled ammonia in a room under the stands during the quarter final against Croatia (2:2, which Russia lost 3:4 in penalties), in order order to gain a physical advantage over their competitors. Ammonia is admittedly not on the list of prohibited substances, but an invited …
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Human rights activists fear growth of forced prostitution during World Cup 2018 in Russia
Women from Asia and Africa may be brought into Russia under the guise of soccer fans for the purpose of forced prostitution, anti-slavery NGO “Alternativa” believes.
The human rights activists warn that there is a danger that forced prostitution will increase in Russia while it is hosting the FIFA World Cup.
“This tournament inflates the demand for prostitutes and attracts clients,” the chairperson of Alternativa told the German Press Agency on Tuesday, June 26.
The NGO representative …
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Ukrainian Foreign Minister: Russia may agree to prisoner exchange to improve image during FIFA 2018 World Cup
During a broadcast of Channel 5, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin said that he believes that Kyiv may be able to get Moscow to consent to the release of political prisoners and a hostage exchange while Russia is hosting the 2018 World Cup.
"A gesture is possible, though not a gesture of goodwill, but rather [a gesture] to improve the image of Russia during the championship. We must use the championship, but we must [also] continue to work," Klimkin stated. At the same time, he noted …
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Ukrainian President: human rights are not part of the vital interests of Russia
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko welcomed the resolution adopted by the European Parliament on Thursday condemning Russia’s massive violations of human rights, including on the temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories.
Poroshenko had high praise for the “consolidated, powerful voice of MEPs in the protection of more than 70 Ukrainian political prisoners, who continue to be forcibly held and tortured by the Kremlin regime,” he wrote on Facebook. He reiterated that Ukraine is fighting for …
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Peskov: Putin’s statement on consequences of 'Kyiv provocation' during World Cup needs no explanation
The statement made by Russian President Vladimir Putin that there will be “severe consequences” if there is “provocation from Kyiv” during the 2018 World Cup needs no clarification, Presidential Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said during a press conference on Wednesday, June 13.
“President Putin sets out his thoughts extremely clearly, and says what he means. What was said is quite straightforward,” Peskov responded when asked to explain what Putin meant.
In a broadcast of the Direct Line TV show …
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UN Secretary-General to visit Russia for FIFA World Cup and meeting with Putin
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will travel to Russia next week, where he is to hold a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin and attend a World Cup soccer match in the country.
UN representative Stéphane Dujarric said on June 12 that the Secretary-General will be in Russia on June 20-21. In addition to meeting with Putin, he is scheduled to hold talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and with the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill.
During the two- …
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Finland joins the diplomatic boycott of FIFA 2018 World Cup
Finnish authorities decided to join the diplomatic boycott of the World Cup that begins in Russia on June 14. According to the Ambassador of Ukraine in Helsinki, Andrii Olefirov, the first persons of the state will not be present at the matches.
"The top leadership of Finland will not participate in the championship. It is not my merit but it is a matter of common sense. Everyone goes about their work,” the diplomat wrote on Twitter on Tuesday, June 12. Olefirov also urged Ukrainian citizens …
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European Parliament may call for boycott of World Cup in Russia
Deputies of the European Parliament are going to introduce a resolution, related to human rights in Russia, for a diplomatic boycott of the World Cup by officials of EU countries. The tournament will soon start in Moscow.This was reported by Rikard Jozwiak, Brussels correspondent for Radio Liberty.
“The European Parliament is likely to call for a diplomatic boycott of the 2018 World Cup in a resolution on human rights in Russia that is set to pass on 14 June,” the reporter wrote on Twitter. He …