Russian, Belarusian Gamers Denied Entry for Prague WTA Occasion

PRAGUE (Reuters) – Czech police stopped a Russian tennis participant from coming into the nation forward of the WTA Prague Open match, organisers mentioned on Friday, as a brand new authorities decision banning athletes from Russia or Belarus induced the occasion to scratch different opponents.

The Prague Open begins on Monday and was anticipated to see a handful of Russian and Belarusian gamers, together with Evgeniya Rodina of Russia or Aliaksandra Sasnovich of Belarus, competing as neutrals, with none nationwide flag or image.

However the authorities authorised a decision on the finish of June banning athletes from Russia and Belarus from competing in occasions on Czech territory, permitting police to revoke visas to these nationals.

Match director Miroslav Maly mentioned police had stopped one Prague Open participant from coming into the nation on Thursday and organisers knowledgeable different Russian and Belarusian nationals to not journey for the match after the incident.

“She was the primary participant to reach to the Czech Republic with a Russian passport,” Maly mentioned, including she had already left the nation.

“The administration of the match totally respect the present stance of state authorities. We don’t anticipate any participant with Russian or Belarusian citizenship to participate within the match on this state of affairs.”

The WTA had no rapid remark.

Czech world quantity 29 Marie Bouzkova, who misplaced to compatriot and eventual champion Marketa Vondrousova at this month’s Wimbledon, received the Prague Open in 2022 and can defend her title. The match may even characteristic China’s Zhu Lin and Zhang Shuai and France’s Alize Cornet among the many high seeds.

Czech police had deliberate to ensure the federal government decision was upheld for the match, a police spokesperson advised CTK information company on Thursday.

Per week in the past, Polish authorities additionally denied entry to Russian tennis participant Vera Zvonareva, a 2008 Olympic bronze medallist, for causes of state safety and public security.

Central and jap Europe states have been a few of Ukraine’s staunchest allies since Russia invaded the nation in February 2022.

Since June 2022, the Czech authorities has stopped issuing long-term visa to Russian residents, who can acquire entry solely by means of short-term visas if they’ve kinfolk with European Union citizenship or are looking for entry on humanitarian grounds.

(Reporting by Robert Muller and Jason Hovet; Extra reporting by Anita Kobylinska in Gdansk; Modifying by Christian Radnedge)

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