Senator the Hon Richard Colbeck
Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services
Minister for Sport
The Morrison Government supports a decision by Swimming Australia to boycott world championship swimming events scheduled in Russia.
Minister for Sport, Richard Colbeck said every single measure taken to reinforce the condemnation of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was important.
The FINA World Junior Swimming Championships were scheduled for August 23 to 28 this year while the World Short Course Championships due to be staged from December 17-22.
“Swimming Australia’s decision to boycott Russian-hosted events is the right one,” Minister Colbeck said.
“It follows similar decisions by international federations to cancel sport events in Russia, including Formula 1, FIFA and the International Ski Federation.
“While I welcome the overnight decision by FINA to cancel the World Junior Swimming Championships, I urge FINA to also move the World Short Course Championships.”
Minister Colbeck also welcomed the call from the International Olympic Committee for international sporting federations to cancel or relocate all international sporting engagements in Russia and Belarus.
“The invasion of Ukraine is the most egregious breach of international law and while governments will do what they can through co-ordinated sanctions, sporting bodies across the globe also share a responsibility to keep athletes safe.
“As Prime Minister Scott Morrison has already said, all international sporting events in Russia should now have their authorisations withdrawn.”
Minister Colbeck said all Australian athletes and support staff traveling to nations in the vicinity of Ukraine should also pay very careful attention to DFAT travel advice which is regularly updated.
Latest travel advice can be found .
