80 SPORTS ILLUSTRATED | SI.COM
POINT AFTER
The sports world’s reaction to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was swift. Within days of
troops crossing the border on Feb. 24, the international governing bodies for basketball,
hockey, and track and field indefinitely banned Russian athletes from their events. FIFA
made Russia ineligible for the World Cup. And in arenas and stadiums across the globe—as
at a UEFA Europa Conference League match in Bodø, Norway—there was loud backing for a
cause to unify fans of all sporting and political stripes: support for the people of Ukraine.SUPPORT SYSTEMS
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