How It All Began with Sanctions in Sport: Political and Ethical Dimensions of the Ukraine-Russia War

Year 2025, Volume: 30 Issue: Special Issue, 54 - 68, 26.12.2025

Holger Preuss , Jürgen Mittag

https://doi.org/10.53434/gbesbd.1837445

Abstract

This study examines how sport functions as a political instrument in the context of the Russia–Ukraine war and how international sport organizations’ responses align with principles of ethical management. The research analyses sport-related sanctions imposed between February 24 and March 6, 2022. Data were collected through press reviews from the German Federal Institute for Sport Science and the German Olympic Sports Confederation, major newspapers, and interviews with representatives of international federations. Findings show that sports federations implemented extensive measures including cancellation of events in Russia, exclusion of Russian athletes and officials, termination of sponsorships, and sanctions against individuals. The analysis reveals that, alt-hough sport claims political neutrality, it assumes ethical responsibility when confronted with human rights violations. In conclusion, the study demonstrates that the political dimension of sport is unavoidable; ethically justified sanctions serve as a means of upholding human dignity and peace, as enshrined in the Olympic Charter.

Keywords

Sport and Politics , Russia-Ukraine War , Sanctions in Sport , Ethical Management , Olympic Charter

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