MORE than 60 athletes from Russia and Belarus have been disqualified from the city of Boston’s upcoming famous marathon and 5K run, the organising body’s spokesman told Sputnik yesterday.

On Wednesday, the Boston Athletic Association (BAA) announced its decision to ban athletes residing in Russia and Belarus from participating in the marathon and 5K run, among the best known in the world, set to take place on April 18.

“A total of 63 athletes will be removed from the Boston Marathon and BAA 5K collectively,” the BAA spokesman said when asked about the total number banned from the two countries. 

Citizens of both countries who live abroad will be able to compete without their national flags.

Organisers said they will make “reasonable efforts” to refund the athletes from Russia or Belarus, within the constraints as imposed by federal and international sanctions. However, the spokesman did not comment on how they are going to return the money.

The Boston marathon is the oldest one in the world. The first race took place in 1897. Over 30,000 athletes are expected to run this year.

Three Russian athletes – Olga Markova, Svetlana Zakharova and Lidya Grigoryeva – won the marathon in 1993, 2003 and 2007, respectively. – Bernama, April 8, 2022.