Ukraine to challenge decision to hold 2030 World Weightlifting Championships in Moscow
Ukraine will seek an explanation from the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) and explore ways to challenge its decision to award the 2030 World Weightlifting Championships to Moscow, a Ukrainian national team official has said.
Dmytro Sukhotskyi, Ukraine's national weightlifting team state coach, told Suspilne Sport that the decision was unexpected and deeply disappointing, particularly as Ukrainian athletes continue training amid Russian attacks and air raid alerts.
The IWF has awarded Russia the right to host the 2030 championships in Moscow. The event would mark Russia's first international competition of this level under an Olympic sports federation since the start of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
The decision follows an earlier move by the IWF to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to return to international competitions in all age categories under their national flags and anthems.
"Allowing Russian sport back onto the international stage has been happening for some time, but giving Russia the right to host world championships is a much more serious step," Sukhotskyi said.
He questioned whether the federation had considered the safety of Ukrainian athletes who would be expected to compete in Moscow.
Sukhotskyi warned that the decision could set a precedent for other international sports federations.
He said Ukrainian weightlifters were outraged, having already been required to compete against Russian and Belarusian athletes representing their countries at European and world championships.
Ukraine has not yet determined how to challenge the hosting decision. According to Sukhotskyi, officials will consult lawyers about possible legal mechanisms and coordinate their next steps with the relevant ministry and the National Olympic Committee.
If the championships remain in Moscow, Ukrainian athletes are unlikely to participate, he said.