From Ali to Hatton, the ring produces icons shaped by struggle, solidarity and the realities of class, writes JOHN WIGHT
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Politics and sports do mix. Silencing either is a mistake
LINDA PENTZ GUNTER fights the corner of Russian and Belarusian athletes who are facing the consequences of crimes committed by an autocratic leader
Russian and Belarusian players will not be allowed to compete at this year's Wimbledon
Mercedes driver will endure as Verstappen exit talk grows amid rule row
POLITICS and sport absolutely should mix. In fact, they just automatically do, whether we like not or not.
Formula 1 was right to pull their Grand Prix out of Sochi, Russia, in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. They would do well to heed their lately fading superstar, British racer Lewis Hamilton, and cross Saudi Arabia off their calendar as well.
But Wimbledon’s decision to ban individual Russian and Belarusian tennis players from their lofty Championships this summer is not mixing politics and sport. It’s discriminating against individuals for crimes committed by an autocratic leader who jails those who speak out against him.
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