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BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Runners that are current residents in Russia and Belarus will not be permitted to compete in the 126th Boston Marathon or the Boston Athletic Association's 5K, race officials said on Wednesday, with less than two weeks until the events.
According to the B.A.A., Russian and Belarusian citizens who no longer reside in their country of origin will be allowed to compete, on the condition that they will not sport their nation's flag on race day.
“Like so many around the world, we are horrified and outraged by what we have seen and learned from the reporting in Ukraine,” said President & CEO of the B.A.A. Tom Grilk. “We believe that running is a global sport, and as such, we must do what we can to show our support to the people of Ukraine.”
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The B.A.A. said that they will make "reasonable attempts" to refund Russian or Belarusian athletes impacted by the decision, within the constraints imposed by federal and international sanctions.
Ukrainians that were registered for a B.A.A race, but cannot attend, were offered a refund or the option to defer to a future year.
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