World Climbing Federation Grants Neutral Status to Russian Military Athletes

Guillermo Abascal's Planned Moscow Trip

According to Главком: Guillermo Abascal, the former manager of Moscow's Spartak football club, has announced plans to visit Moscow. The 36-year-old coach, whose most recent job was with the Mexican club Atletico San Luis, led Spartak from June 2022 until April 2024. In an interview, he stated:

“We plan to visit friends in Moscow in April or May. My son was born there, he is three years old now, and we would like him to see where he was born and how beautiful Moscow is. Do I plan to attend a Spartak match? Yes.” - Guillermo Abascal

This visit highlights the personal ties some international sports figures maintain with Russia, despite its ongoing international isolation.

Neutral Status for Russian Military Climbers

In a separate development, the International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC), also known as World Climbing, has approved neutral status for Russian athletes affiliated with military structures. Under new regulations, neutral athletes are prohibited from any association with Russian military bodies. Among those from the Russian military club CSKA who received this status are:

• Elizaveta Ivanova (Senior Sergeant of the Russian Army)
• Mykola Yarylovets (Private of the Russian Army)
• Olena Krasovska (Sergeant of the Russian Army)
• Dmytro Fakirianov (Warrant Officer of the Russian Army)
• Viktoriia Meshkova
• Vladyslav Shevchenko

Abascal's trip may reflect his personal connections to the team and city, as well as relationships he maintains with former players and friends, and could hint at potential plans for a return to professional football in Russia. The IFSC's decision on neutral status underscores the complex challenges international sports federations face in navigating ethical guidelines and the impact of geopolitical conflicts on global athletic competition.

The recent decision by the IFSC to grant neutral status to Russian military athletes has stirred significant debate within the sports community. This move highlights the ongoing complexities faced by international sports organizations in balancing ethical considerations with geopolitical realities. To explore the implications and controversies surrounding this decision, read more about World Climbing's stance on military athletes.