Countries agree Russia, Belarus should be barred from hosting international sports events

FILE PHOTO: Plastic letters arranged to read "Sanctions" are placed in front Russian flag colors in this illustration taken February 28, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Russia and Belarus should not be permitted to host, bid for, or be awarded any international sporting events after the invasion of Ukraine, according to a statement signed by sporting officials from dozens of countries and released by the U.S. State Department.

The statement calls on international sporting federations to limit sponsorship opportunities for companies tied to Russian and Belarusian governments. It is signed by officials from the United Kingdom, Italy and Japan, among other countries. China and India are not included in the statement.

(Reporting by Caitlin Webber and Kanishka Singh)

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