Ukraine to appeal 2030 weightlifting in Moscow

Ukraine said Monday it would appeal plans to hold the 2030 world weightlifting championships in Moscow, criticising the International Weightlifting Federation's decision amid Russia's invasion.

The IWF said Sunday that Moscow would host the 2030 event. The decision would make it the first Olympic federation to give Russia global staging rights since 2022, when the Kremlin ordered troops into Ukraine.

Ukraine's Sports Minister Matviy Bidny said on social media that it was unacceptable to hold international competitions in Russia while the war continued. He said Kyiv was preparing official appeals to the IWF and the International Olympic Committee.

The decision comes after the IOC announced a route for Russian athletes to return to international competition. In July, the IOC eased restrictions on Russian athletes and opened a pathway for them to compete in qualifying events for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Ukraine has filed an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport seeking to annul the IOC decision.