Biathletes from Russia and Belarus will not take part in international competitions.
According to "Sport-Express", at the Congress of the International Biathlon Union it was announced a decision, according to which the national teams of Russia and Belarus were not allowed to participate in the biathlon season due to the extension of sanctions.
It is reported that the International Olympic Committee had nothing against Russian and Belarusian athletes to perform under neutral flags, but after a vote the national teams were denied such a possibility.
It is reported that out of 39 voting members only two countries supported lifting the ban, while five countries abstained.
Among those who voted for the removal of Russia and Belarus was Brazil, represented at the congress by ethnic Swede Anders Pettersson.