As the world watches with horror and the people of Ukraine brace for the worst, the FIVB fails to take sides on Russia’s violation of international law.
Volleyball doesn’t follow other major sporting organizations
The full scale invasion of a neighboring sovereign nation is a clear violation of Article 2(4) of the U.N. Charter and not only the political world, but the sporting world wasted no time in issuing condemnation. UEFA, the governing body of European football (soccer) quickly relocated their marque event, the Champions League Finals, from St. Petersburg to Paris. The F1 canceled their 2022 engagement in Sochi. Yet, the FIVB, in this Reuters article, says it has no plans to move the indoor World Championships scheduled for late August in Russia.
These quotes in the Reuters story are especially disheartening.
“The FIVB is working in close collaboration with the Russian volleyball federation and organising committee Volleyball 2022 in preparation for various volleyball and beach volleyball events set to be held in the country which are progressing as planned”
the FIVB
While the FIVB believes that sport should always remain separate from politics, we are closely monitoring the situation to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all participants at our events which is our top priority.
the FIVB
Pressure is sure to build and the powers at Volleyball World are likely to cave, but their delay is extremely disappointing.
Beach players speak out
Ondrej Perusic of the Czech Republic penned an open letter and shared it on Instagram urging the FIVB to change their stance. Please follow the link to his post and ‘like it’ and share it on your story to express solidarity with the players against the FIVB and with the Ukrainian people.
Perusic points out that even the International Olympic Committee has urged organizations like the FIVB to halt scheduled competitions in Russia.
Thoughts and prayers
It goes without saying that volleyball is the last thing we should be concerned about. Beach volleyball fans from across the globe realize how small their concerns are as they consider the situation of the ordinary citizens in Ukraine. It may seem like a small thing, but urging the FIVB to penalize Russia by moving the World Championships is more than merely symbolic. As the rest of the world lines up sanctions and other measures to isolate Russia for their aggression it is the least the FIVB can do.