Dear Swiss STSV Family
Russia, Belarus and Ukraine in a state of war.
The outbreak of violence in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine has affected us all, as a wide variety of people from different nations have been living together peacefully in our country for decades. So it is also a normality for us to compete for places and ranking points on the dance floor with successful Ukrainians and with no less successful Russian athletes.
The Executive Board is all the more appalled by the outbreak of this brute aggression in this conflict that has been simmering for over 8 years. We strongly condemn this violence. Violence is never a valid means to resolve a conflict. With the invasion of Ukraine by the Russian army, the previously largely peaceful life of the population has changed abruptly. While their own soldiers in the neighbouring country are now trying to use bloody violence to decide a conflict in their favour, it seems impious to us if social life in Russia should simply go on as usual and we should also take part in it.
Our umbrella organisation Swiss Olympic condemns the breach of the Olympic Truce by the Russian government. The Olympic Truce was adopted as a resolution by the UN General Assembly on 2 December 2021 by 173 member countries and is valid from 4 February to 20 March. As a result of the conflict, Swiss Olympic advises its member federations to refrain from participating in competitions in Russia and the war zones for security reasons.
The STSV follows this recommendation. Swiss dancers should stay away from tournaments in both countries until the hostilities have been resolved. The board has decided not to make any selections for corresponding competitions for the time being.
Our thoughts are with the Ukrainian people, with the soldiers of both sides of the conflict who have to put their lives and souls on the line for this senseless war, with the families of these soldiers and especially with our Ukrainian and Russian dance sport friends in Switzerland.
The Board of Directors
