MOSCOW: Russia launched an all-out invasion of Ukraine by land, sea and air on Thursday which has affected sporting activities around the world.
The war was also condemned by the sporting community along with messages for peace and unity.
Timeline of events
February 26: Boxing great Wladimir Klitschko urges world to prevent โhumanitarian catastropheโ
Former world boxing heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko appealed to the world on Saturday to stop war in his native Ukraine before itโs too late.
โIโm addressing the entire world to stop this war that Russia has started,โ he said in a video posted online.
โThereโs no time to wait because itโs going to lead into a humanitarian catastrophe. You need to act now to stop Russian aggression with anything you can have now. In an hour, or by tomorrow itโs going to be too late,โ he added.
Wladimir also joined in Ukraineโs reserve army earlier this month.
February 26: Svitolina shocked by โterrible nightmareโ
Ukraine tennis star and world number 15 Elina Svitolina has opened up the ongoing crisis in her home country.
โIโm shocked at this terrible nightmare,โ Svitolina told Sky Sports News โIโm really praying every single minute for my family, for my friends, for all people in Ukraine and around the world for safety, for peace.โ
โIโm very safe compared to them so. To be honest with you, Iโm only thinking about them and for me itโs a very stressful time because I cannot do anything. I cannot really help them. I wish I could help them. Itโs extremely tough mentally for me. I cannot imagine what they are going through. Iโm just praying,โ she added.
โItโs a horrible situation for the people in Ukraine, what they have to go through without sleepless nights, without food and electricity so thatโs horrible. For me, itโs heartbreaking to hear this,โ she further stated. โThe war is something we have to stop and itโs something better than anything else. What is happening is very tough for me to imagine.โ
February 26: Poland, Sweden decide against playing World Cup matches with Russia
Poland has decided against playing the football World Cup qualifier against Russia next month, the president of Polandโs Football Association, Cezary Kulesza, and players including captain Robert Lewandowski said on Saturday.
Kulesza added that the association was in talks with its Swedish and Czech counterparts regarding playoff matches scheduled for March to fill a slot for the World Cup.
โIn light of the escalation of the Russian Federationโs aggression against Ukraine, the Polish national team is not going to play a match against Russian Republic,โ Kulesza said on Twitter.
โThis is the only right decision. We are in talks with Swedish and Czech association to present a common position to FIFA.โ
Russia is set to host Poland in the semis of the World Cup playoffs on March 24 and, if its team goes through, is scheduled to host either Sweden or the Czech Republic on March 29 in the Path B final.
Polish captain Lewandowski wrote on Twitter: โI canโt imagine playing a match with the Russian National Team in a situation when armed aggression in Ukraine continues.โ
