FINA cancels World Junior Championships in Russia

World swimming governing body FINA has called off the World Junior Swimming Championships that were set to take place in Kazan, Russia, in late August, in light of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

FINA said it had made the decision to cancel the biannual event after consulting athletes and stakeholders.

A statement released late today (Sunday 27th February) advised "FINA will not be holding any future events in Russia if this grave crisis continues."

The Switzerland-based FINA added that it would provide whatever practical support it could to members of the aquatics family impacted by Russia's invasion, which began on Thursday and has met with swift condemnation from numerous sports governing bodies.

On Friday, FINA called off a men's water polo World League match in St. Petersburg next month while an Artistic Swimming and Diving World Series event scheduled for April in Kazan was also cancelled.

Following Russia invasion of Ukraine on Thursday, Friday saw European football governing body UEFA strip Russia of the UEFA Champions League final and Formula One drop this season's Russian Grand Prix in Sochi.

Russia's attack is the biggest on a European state since the Second World War and is severely disrupting the continent's post-Cold War order.

Image courtesy of Peter H Bick.