The FVU is preparing a protest against the induction of Putin's confidant into the International Volleyball Hall of Fame
The Ukrainian Volleyball Federation (UVF) has filed an official protest against the nomination of Russian coach Vladimir Alekno for induction into the International Volleyball Hall of Fame (IVHF) in 2026.
This was reported by Sport.ua.
FVU President Mykhailo Melnyk emphasized that it is unacceptable to honor a person who served as a confidant of the Russian dictator ahead of the 2024 elections, given the ongoing aggression against Ukraine.
Despite his sporting achievements, including the Russian national team’s victory at the 2012 Olympics, the Ukrainian side considers his political activities to be direct support for a regime waging a bloody war. In addition to Alekno, the list of 2026 finalists in various categories includes Russian Katerina Gamova and Ukrainian Yuriy Panchenko.
The official voting for candidates, in which fans can also participate, begins on April 1. The final list of new Hall of Fame members will be announced on May 18, and the induction ceremony itself is scheduled for October 2026 in Holio, USA.
Earlier, the IAAF lifted sanctions against the All-Russian Athletics Federation.
The International Federation of Sport Climbing (World Climbing) recognized several Russian military personnel as neutral athletes, violating the organization’s own rules.
