A number of Moldovan athletes risk being penalized for taking part in BRICS competitions organized in the city of Kazan, Russia. The Ministry of Education and Research noted that if it turns out that the federations knowingly allowed the delegation of athletes to compete, they risk having the funding reduced or stopped. The Ministry of Education also said that the federations can penalize the athletes who participate in competitions illegally by excluding them from the national team, IPN reports.

The Ministry announced that it had asked for explanations from the federations to which the athletes belong, namely the Belt Wrestling Association, the Judo Federation, the Sambo Federation and the Rhythmic Gymnastics Federation.

The federations cannot delegate members of national teams to contend in international sports competitions without prior coordination with the Ministry of Education – 14 days before the competition.

“The Ministry of Education notes that the participation in the so-called competition encourages the aggressor state that is guilty of crimes committed on the territory of Ukraine. This competition organized on the territory of the Russian Federation violates the provisions of the Olympic Charter - a document that governs the organization, actions and functioning of the Olympic Movement,” reads a press release.

The press wrote that six athletes represent the Republic of Moldova at the competitions in Kazan – three in sambo, one in rhythmic gymnastics, one in judo and another athlete in belt wrestling.