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International Golf Federation bans Russian and Belarusian athletes

International Golf Federation (IGF) has banned golfers from Russia and Belarus from competing in tournaments under its jurisdiction, following the countries invasion of Ukraine.

The IGF is the recognised International Federation for golf within the Olympic and Paralympic Movement, with its major events scheduled for 2022 the World Amateur Team Championships, due to take place in France in August and September.

The IGF said that it “is saddened by the events in Ukraine and in unity with the Olympic Movement supports calls for peace.”

In a statement the IGF said: “Having carefully reviewed the IOC’s recommendations regarding the actions to be taken with respect to the Russian and Belarus Governments breach of the Olympic Truce, the IGF has determined that, in solidarity with the Olympic Movement, and in order to protect the integrity of global sports competitions and the safety of all the participants, the IGF will not invite or allow the participation of Russian and Belarus athletes and officials in international competitions under its jurisdiction, which includes the 2022 World Amateur Team Championships.”

read also:Ukraine invasion: IJF removes Putin and judo training partner Rotenberg permanently from all positions

The governing body added it would “closely monitor the situation and may adapt its decisions and measures according to future developments.”

Golf is still a developing sport in Russia, with the first golf club founded in the country in 1990, and the first 18-hole course opened in Nakhibino, a settlement near Moscow in 1994.

The sport’s governing body in Russia, the Russian Golf Association (AGR) was launched in 1992.

The AGR’s current President is Viktor Khristenko, a former politician who was first elected to the role in 2015.

Russian golfer Maria Verchenova, the country’s only representative in the sport at the Rio 2016 Olympics, hit by a hole-in-one on her final round, as she set a course record of 62 on her way to finishing 15th.

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