Boston Marathon restricts Russian, Belarusian athletes over Ukraine invasion

Russian and Belarusian athletes, who were accepted via open registration and reside in their home countries, will be banned from running in the upcoming Boston Marathon, the Boston Athletic Association announced Wednesday.

Runners who are Russian and Belarusian citizens but reside outside either country will be permitted to compete in the race but not under those two flags.

BAA said via press release it will not recognize country affiliation or the flags of Russia and Belarus at any of its races and events "until further notice."

A spokesperson for the BAA said the organization was removing 63 athletes, collectively, from the Boston Marathon and the BAA 5K, WCVB reported.

The restrictions also apply to the 5K race, as part of punishments across sports worldwide in response to Russia's invasion of war-torn Ukraine. Belarus, a key staging area for military aggression, has faced broad punishments as well.

"We are horrified and outraged by what we have seen and learned from the reporting in Ukraine," Boston Athletic Association president and CEO Tom Grilk said in a press statement. "We believe that running is a global sport and, as such, we must do what we can to show our support to the people of Ukraine."

BAA said the organization would provide all Ukrainians who are registered and are unable to compete with a refund or option to defer to a future year.

The group will also make "reasonable attempts" to refund the Russian or Belarusian residents who will no longer be able to participate, "within the constraints as imposed by federal and international sanctions."

The annual April 18 race, which attracts some of the world's top competitors, is the oldest marathon and comprises the prestigious World Marathon Majors.