The European Shooting Confederation (ESC) has stripped Estonia of the right to host the 2027 European Airgun and Pistol Championships after Tallinn said it would bar athletes from Russia and Belarus. The event was moved to Spain and will run March 3-9, 2027. The ESC cited Olympic and European Games qualification rules requiring non-discriminatory participation.
The European Shooting Confederation (ESC) has revoked Estonia's hosting rights for the 2027 European Airgun and Pistol Championships, following Tallinn's decision to bar athletes from Russia and Belarus from competing on its soil. The championship has been reassigned to Spain and is scheduled for March 3-9, 2027.
The ESC explained that the event also serves as a qualification tournament for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and the 2027 European Games. Under competition rules, all eligible athletes must be allowed to participate without discrimination by the host nation. Estonia's refusal to admit Russian and Belarusian shooters was deemed a violation of this principle.
The decision highlights the ongoing tension between European sports governing bodies and individual nations over the participation of athletes from Russia and Belarus, following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. While some countries have imposed unilateral bans, international federations have largely moved to allow neutral participation under certain conditions.
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