Following on from the Powerboats & Politics article we ran on PRW yesterday, the UIM have now released a statement regarding the Ukrainian situation.

‘The Executive Committee of the Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM) examined today the situation created by the military invasion of Ukraine. The UIM EXCO Members expressed their shock over the ruthless initiative taken against a sovereign state. They underlined that the UIM strongly condemns all acts of violence perpetrated against civilians and reaffirms its solidarity with the Ukrainian population.

As the world governing body of the powerboating sport, the UIM is committed to encouraging its practice in all disciplines on a global scale and to offering opportunities to the athletes to perform. Yet, in light of the present situation caused by the Russian invasion in Ukraine, international powerboating events organized and staged under the auspices of the UIM in Russia and Belarus are excluded until the current threats to the Ukrainian population are cleared.

The UIM EXCO also resolved not to invite Russian and Belarussian athletes and officials nor to allow their participation in international powerboating competitions organised worldwide under the authority of the UIM until further notice.

As an IOC recognized International Sports Federation, the UIM fully supports the initiatives taken so far by the Olympic Movement in search of a peaceful solution of the current conflict.

The UIM Office continues to closely monitor the situation and remains at the disposal of the Member Federations, Athletes and Officials for further guidance.’

With the opening round of the 2022 UIM XCat World Championship getting underway this week in Fujairah, UAE, this will see Mikhail Kitashev and Dmitry Vandyshev and their New Star Racing Team entry excluded from the series until further notice.