The European Kickboxing Championship was canceled in Moldova after Russia was banned

The European Kickboxing Championship in Moldova was canceled after the Russian national team was not allowed to compete. This was announced on June 21 by Vladimir Filatov, Secretary General of the Russian Kickboxing Federation.

The tournament was scheduled to be held in Chisinau on June 23-28.

"The European Championship in Chisinau has been canceled due to the ban on participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes. Only competitions among minors will be held. We will hold the next Europe together with WKF in 2026, and we have already started selecting a site," Filatov told RIA Novosti.

On the same day, the World Kickboxing Federation (WKF) notified the FCR of the non-admission to the competition. The corresponding message was published on the Federation's website.

It was clarified that the Moldovan authorities did not approve the WKF's decision to allow representatives of Russia with national attributes — the flag and anthem, despite global sanctions. In addition, it is emphasized that there was a conflict in the Chisinau Municipal Council over the participation of athletes from Russia and Belarus in competitions.

"We hope that some of the matches against the USA will be this year"

Kirill Dmitriev, head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, Special Representative of the President, spoke about the chances of disbanding Russian athletes and discussing the games at the talks between Russia and the United States.

On the same day, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko announced that athletes from Russia will be able to participate in international competitions in 31 sports. He noted that Kirsty Coventry's assumption of the post of President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) would be an important factor for the future of Russian sports in the international arena. The behavior of international federations deciding on the admission or non-admission of athletes from the Russian Federation depends on her will.