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Russia calls for sports organizations to hold off from carrying out competitions in US

Moscow repeatedly pointed to the complicated situation regarding the US visa granting, as "this process was practically frozen," the Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said
Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova  Artyom Geodakyan/TASS
Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova
© Artyom Geodakyan/TASS

MOSCOW, July 5. /TASS/. Russia has suggested international sports federations should deny the US the right to carry out international competitions due to the non-granting of visas to athletes, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Thursday.

Moscow repeatedly pointed to the complicated situation regarding the US visa granting, as "this process was practically frozen." "The waiting period for visa interviews is as long as several months, and it is hardly possible to subscribe. The Russian athletes invited for competitions in the US found themselves in this situation as well," she added.

"The non-granting of visas to our athletes, who were officially invited to the events, are direct discrimination of the athletes and the country and a blow to international sports," Zakharova stressed. "If the situation repeats, such moves will lead to the isolation of the US itself, including the sports world. Everyone can see that this country’s authorities respect no rules."

"Today, it is happening to Russian athletes, and tomorrow others will face the same situation. We suggest international sports federations should refrain from granting the US the right to hold competitions until the situation changes," the Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said. "A country that mixes sports and politics should not be humored."

The US Embassy in Moscow refused to organize visa interviews for the Russian freestyle wrestling team, which had to take part in the 2018 UWW (United World Wrestling) Freestyle Wrestling World Cup on April 5-9 in Iowa City, US. In June the diplomatic mission denied interviews to the equestrian and sailing teams.