BMC issues statement on Ukraine events

Posted by Peter Burnside on 02/03/2022
The BMC issues statement to International Federations concerning events in Ukraine. Photo: Shutterstock

The BMC issues letters to International Federations on its stance concerning the events in Ukraine.

In keeping with the values of the BMC, our members, and community, and in solidarity with the Ukrainian Mountaineering and Climbing Federation and international sporting community, the BMC has sent letters to our International Federations today regarding its position concerning the continuing events in Ukraine.
 
The letters are available to view using the links below. Within these letters, the BMC firmly sets its stance as follows.

BMC stance on Ukraine events

The BMC is an apolitical organisation and believes that sport and politics should remain separate. We strongly believe that the athletes and civilians of a country should not be punished for the decisions made by their governments.

However, Russia’s unprovoked attack on Ukraine, an act that is a clear violation of international law and the UN Charter, places us in a difficult situation.

We, along with other sports federations across the UK, condemn the actions of Russia in invading Ukraine, and we condemn the support that they have received from Belarus. We do not believe that we can sit by and watch this atrocity unfold without doing all that we can to support the international efforts to secure a rapid and peaceful withdrawal of Russian troops and a return to peace in the region.

Until such time, the BMC will not:

  • Host or otherwise support or endorse any competition or activity within Russia or Belarus.
  • Compete in any events where athletes or sports officials from Russia or Belarus are allowed to take part under the name of Russia or Belarus.
  • Accept any sponsorship or other payment from organisations that are linked to Russia or Belarus.

We must go further

Following its statement, the BMC implores International Federations to take further action against Russia and Belarus.

The BMC has asked the UIAA to:

  • Do everything in its power to ensure that no athlete or sports official from Russia or Belarus be allowed to take part in UIAA sanctioned events.
  • Exclude all delegates from Russia or Belarus from any activities of the UIAA, including representation on any working groups, committees, or commissions.
  • Join the other International Federations (such as FIFA) and the IOC in making a clear public statement of condemnation of the invasion of Ukraine and outline the actions that you have taken.

DOWNLOAD: The BMC's letter to the UIAA

The BMC has asked the IFSC to:

  • Exclude all delegates from Russia or Belarus from any activities of the IFSC, including representation on any working groups, committees, or commissions.
  • Withdraw the invitation for Russia and Belarus to attend the General Assembly, either in person or remotely.
  • Join the other International Federations (such as FIFA) and the IOC in making a clear public statement of condemnation of the invasion of Ukraine and outline the actions that you have taken.

DOWNLOAD: The BMC's letter to the IFSC

The BMC has asked the ISMF to:

  • Not invite or allow the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes or officials in international competitions sanctioned by ISMF.
  • Exclude all delegates from Russia or Belarus from any activities of the ISMF, including representation on any working groups, committees, or commissions.
  • Join the other International Federations (such as FIFA) and the IOC in making a clear public statement of condemnation of the invasion of Ukraine and outline the actions that you have taken

We must all stand united with the people of Ukraine and do whatever we can to send a strong message of unity to Ukraine and its people that the international community will not stand idly by in the face of such aggression.

Statements from International Federations

Please refer to:
 
International Climbing and Mountaineering Federation (UIAA) 
Statement released on 25 February
 
International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC) 
Statement released on 25 February
 
International Ski Mountaineering Federation (ISMF) 
Statement released 1 March
 
International Olympic Committee (IOC)
Statement released on 25 February.

WATCH: We Are GB Climbing

🧗‍♀️ FOLLOW: GB Climbing's Instagram for exclusive photos and results

⛰️ JOIN: Become a BMC member and support GB Climbing

📺 WATCH: GB Climbing YouTube playlist

🐦SCROLL: GB Climbing on X for live updates

👍 LIKE: GB Climbing Facebook for even more news and photos

👀 VISIT: GB Climbing website and see who's on the team

GB Climbing is supported by the BMC, Mountaineering Scotland and Secur-it. Many UK walls also support the GB Climbing team through free or subsidised entry.


« Back

Post a comment Print this article

This article has been read 1415 times

TAGS

Click on the tags to explore more

RELATED ARTICLES

SkiMo Racing Athlete Meet 22 Nov
1
SkiMo Racing Athlete Meet 22 Nov

A virtual meeting will be held on 22 November 2023 to discuss athlete selection and qualification for the 2026 Olympic Games.
Read more »

RESULTS: British Lead, Speed & Paraclimbing Championships 2023
2
RESULTS: British Lead, Speed & Paraclimbing Championships 2023

A weekend of action was kick-started with a new British Speed Climbing Record and culminated in a fantastic day seeing many athletes vie for the title of British Champion. Here are the results of the British Lead, Speed and Paraclimbing Championships 2023:
Read more »

GB Climbing shows strong at IFSC Youth World Championships
0
GB Climbing shows strong at IFSC Youth World Championships

Boulder, Lead, and Speed – the GB Climbing youth athletes did us proud with tops, hops and our first ever Youth World Championships GB Speed medal.
Read more »

Post a Comment

Posting as Anonymous Community Standards
3000 characters remaining
Submit
Your comment has been posted below, click here to view it
Comments are currently on | Turn off comments
3
Anonymous User
03/03/2022
Sport and politics are not separate. South Africa apartheid and how protests over the UK ‘70s tour help stop apartheid in cricket. Every breath you take is a political act.
Anonymous User
11/03/2022
The statement in a nutshell:

The BMC is no longer an apolitical organisation and no longer believes that sport and politics should remain separate. We now believe that the athletes and civilians of a country should be punished for the decisions made by their governments.
Anonymous User
21/03/2022
Whilst I support the thrust of the BMCs statement condemning the occupation of Ukraine and the military strikes I am struggling to see why the BMC did not equally condemn Israel's deadly airstrikes in May 2021 or 2014 on the civilian population or action to ban Israeli IFSC registered competitors, exclude delegates etc. Please explain what difference lies between Russia's occupation of Ukraine and Israels's occupation of Palestine both of which are clear violations under international law and both. have generated referrals to the ICC for war crimes? Policy consistancy and explanation needed please?

RELATED ARTICLES

SkiMo Racing Athlete Meet 22 Nov
1

A virtual meeting will be held on 22 November 2023 to discuss athlete selection and qualification for the 2026 Olympic Games.
Read more »

RESULTS: British Lead, Speed & Paraclimbing Championships 2023
2

A weekend of action was kick-started with a new British Speed Climbing Record and culminated in a fantastic day seeing many athletes vie for the title of British Champion. Here are the results of the British Lead, Speed and Paraclimbing Championships 2023:
Read more »

GB Climbing shows strong at IFSC Youth World Championships
0

Boulder, Lead, and Speed – the GB Climbing youth athletes did us proud with tops, hops and our first ever Youth World Championships GB Speed medal.
Read more »

BMC MEMBERSHIP
Join 82,000 BMC members and support British climbing, walking and mountaineering. Membership only £16.97.
Read more »
BMC SHOP
Great range of guidebooks, DVDs, books, calendars and maps.
All with discounts for members.
Read more »
TRAVEL INSURANCE
Get covered with BMC Insurance. Our five policies take you from the beach to Everest.
Read more »