FCI: No Russian or Belarusian handlers allowed
Russian or Belarusian junior agility handlers are not allowed to participate in JOAWC 2022 even as single athletes.
We informed 5.4. that the national team of Russia would not be allowed to participate but handlers could take part as single athletes, which was what the FCI board had decided in February. FCI has re-evaluated the situation and decided to suspend all Russian and Belarusian athletes from participating in JOAWC 2022 in any way as athletes. It’s also forbidden to participate with a dog that is under the responsibility of a Russian or Belarusian person.
This decision is in line with the policy of the International Olympic Committee regarding closing Russia and Belarus out of all international sports. The IOC stated 28.2.2022:
”In order to protect the integrity of global sports competitions and for the safety of all the participants, the IOC EB recommends that International Sports Federations and sports event organisers not invite or allow the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials in international competitions.”
This statement is supported and followed also by the Finnish Olympic Committee, which the Finnish Agility Association (SAGI) is a member of. SAGI is the operational organizer of JOAWC 2022.
The Finnish Kennel Club, which SAGI also is a member of, stands behind these statements.
Published 8.4.2022
For further information you can contact either the project manager (tiina-liisa . vehkalahti @ agilityliitto.fi) or the press officer of JOAWC2022 (ella . kaijarvi @ agilityliitto.fi).