Ukraine calls Weightlifting Federation's decision to award Moscow 2030 World Championships 'unacceptable'

By Kanyshai Butun

ISTANBUL (AA) - Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha on Monday called the International Weightlifting Federation's (IWF) decision to award Moscow the 2030 World Championships "unacceptable."

On US social media platform X, Sybiha said the decision, unprecedented since the start of the Russia-Ukraine war, risked making the return of major international sporting events to Russia appear acceptable.

"Russia continues to kill Ukrainians, including athletes. It is immoral to grant Moscow the privilege of hosting a major international sporting event while its aggression continues," he said.

Sybiha urged the IWF, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the international sporting community to work together to reverse the decision, stressing that "the moment international sport starts rewarding aggressors, it loses the moral authority to speak about fairness, respect and integrity."

"We must not allow the Kremlin to use international sport to claim recognition, legitimacy or a return to business as usual without ending its aggression or facing accountability," he said.

The IWF's decision marks another step toward Russia's reintegration into international sports following years of restrictions imposed over the war in Ukraine.

In July, the IOC provisionally lifted its suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee, potentially opening the door for Russian athletes to compete at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Moscow last hosted the championships in 1983.