In line with the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) statement on Feb. 25, 2022, urging international sports federations to relocate or cancel their sports events, the FEI executive board called on the FEI secretary general to remove all international equestrian events in Russia and Belarus in the 2022 FEI Calendar in accordance with Articles 112.3 of the FEI General Regulations and 28.2 vi of the FEI Statutes.

In addition to removing all the events from Russia and Belarus, the FEI executive board unanimously agreed to freeze all FEI Solidarity and development activities and to cancel or relocate, where possible, FEI Courses for officials scheduled to be held in Russia and Belarus in 2022.

The executive board requested that the FEI board consider an emergency board resolution addressing the recommendation by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) executive board to prohibit the participation of all Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials. The FEI will continue to monitor the situation, and decisions taken by the FEI board will be communicated in the coming days.

During the meeting, the executive board also approved the allocation of a CHF 1 million (about $1,089,000) FEI solidarity relief fund for the equestrian community in Ukraine. The FEI is liaising closely with the Ukrainian Federation and neighboring countries to facilitate and coordinate logistical support as well as financial aid.

FEI President and Chair of the FEI Solidarity Committee Ingmar De Vos (BEL) is currently in close contact with the National Federation of Ukraine and the equestrian community.

“We are deeply concerned for the welfare of all Ukrainians and the entire equestrian community in Ukraine,” De Vos said. “Their safety is very much our priority, and we are liaising closely with our key contacts in Ukraine and neighboring countries to seek solutions to their most pressing needs.

“Sport is a network that relies and thrives on team spirit and camaraderie, and it is through these important friendships that we can offer support and make a difference to the people of Ukraine in these challenging times.”