'They come to my country and kill kids': UCI's decision to allow Russian riders at World Championships draws passionate reaction

There has been a mixed response to the UCI's decision to allow Russian and Belarusian riders the opportunity to return to the international stage.

Vlasov
(Image credit: Getty)

The UCI’s decision to open the door to allowing Russian and Belarusian athletes to once again compete in international events, such as the World Championships, has drawn a strong condemnation from one of Ukraine’s leading figures within cycling.

On February 3, cycling’s governing body amended its rules to reflect a recent decision by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) that stated  athletes from Russia and Belarus should no longer be excluded from competing in international arenas if they adhere to certain measures.

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Chris Marshall-Bell

A freelance sports journalist and podcaster, you'll mostly find Chris's byline attached to news scoops, profile interviews and long reads across a variety of different publications. He has been writing regularly for Cycling Weekly since 2013. In 2024 he released a seven-part podcast documentary, Ghost in the Machine, about motor doping in cycling.

Previously a ski, hiking and cycling guide in the Canadian Rockies and Spanish Pyrenees, he almost certainly holds the record for the most number of interviews conducted from snowy mountains. He lives in Valencia, Spain.