After Russia’s Invasion, the Sports World Bites Back

Much of the sports world protested Russia's invasion of Ukraine almost from its start — and that includes Russia's own athletes. Tennis players Andrey Rublev and the sport’s newly-minted number one on the men’s side, Daniil Medvedev, have spoken out, as have Russian chess players. Even Washington Capitals hockey star Alex Ovechkin — a friend of Vladimir Putin’s — is calling for peace. Beyond individual athletes, sports organizations have turned against Russia. FIFA and UEFA have banned Russia’s national football team from participating in the upcoming World Cup in Qatar, which Russia had been in the running to qualify for. Formula One’s governing body canceled the Russian Grand Prix race. And tennis’ governing bodies said Russian players won't be able to compete in Grand Slam tournaments under their home country's flag or name. Will and LZ talk about how this united front fits into the global backlash to Russia’s war of aggression, and how it has almost certainly had an effect on public opinion.