Russia Stripped of World Junior Swimming Championships

Australia will boycott swimming events in Russia. Oli SCARFF AFP
Australia will boycott swimming events in Russia. Oli SCARFF AFP
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Russia Stripped of World Junior Swimming Championships

Australia will boycott swimming events in Russia. Oli SCARFF AFP
Australia will boycott swimming events in Russia. Oli SCARFF AFP

Swimming's governing body FINA pulled the world junior championships from Russia Monday and said no other events will be held in the country "if this grave crisis continues".

Swimming powerhouse Australia welcomed the decision, which came after criticism that FINA had been slow to follow other sports in cancelling events following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

"FINA remains extremely concerned with the continuing war in Ukraine and following ongoing consultation with athletes and stakeholders from the aquatics family, FINA can confirm that the eighth World Junior Swimming Championships is cancelled," it said on Twitter.

"FINA will not be holding any future events in Russia if this grave crisis continues," it added.

The World Junior Championships were due to be held in Kazan in August with the short course titles scheduled for December in the same city.

Swimming Australia said it would be boycotting all competitions in Russia, including the World Short Course Championships, which are yet to be axed officially.

"The decision has been made with athlete and staff safety the priority, whilst also acknowledging the role that sports must play within the international landscape," it said in a statement.

"Swimming Australia strongly condemns the actions of the Russian government and is appalled by the developments in Ukraine."

The long-course world championships are due to be held in Hungary, which borders Ukraine, in June.

Swimming Australia said it "will continue to monitor the situation" before a final decision on whether to attend.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine has sparked widespread reaction in the sports world, with the UEFA Champions League final moved to France and Formula One's Russian Grand Prix cancelled.



New Southampton Manager Juric Promises High-Intensity ‘Death Metal’ Style

Football - Premier League - Fulham v Southampton - Craven Cottage, London, Britain - December 22, 2024 New Southampton manager Ivan Juric before the match. (Reuters)
Football - Premier League - Fulham v Southampton - Craven Cottage, London, Britain - December 22, 2024 New Southampton manager Ivan Juric before the match. (Reuters)
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New Southampton Manager Juric Promises High-Intensity ‘Death Metal’ Style

Football - Premier League - Fulham v Southampton - Craven Cottage, London, Britain - December 22, 2024 New Southampton manager Ivan Juric before the match. (Reuters)
Football - Premier League - Fulham v Southampton - Craven Cottage, London, Britain - December 22, 2024 New Southampton manager Ivan Juric before the match. (Reuters)

Ivan Juric said he will try to implement a high-intensity brand of football at Southampton as he bids to guide the Premier League strugglers out of the relegation zone.

The former Croatia midfielder, who was appointed on an 18-month contract on Saturday, was previously in charge of AS Roma but was dismissed in November after only 12 matches in charge.

"When I was young, I liked death metal music a lot, and that's something I think my style of football is like," Juric told reporters on Monday.

"Work hard, press hard, play good, be intense, all this stuff. I think (the players) can do it. They are young, they are positive, they want to work hard. It's not easy to change the style immediately, but we have to be clever."

Bottom of the league with six points from 17 matches, Southampton are winless in their last seven league games and sit eight points adrift of safety.

"I know it will be a very tough job and I know that in the history nobody has stayed in the Premier League from this situation," the 49-year-old said, adding that he thought the side can do "something exceptional".

Juric's first game in charge is on Thursday when Southampton host West Ham United.