I think the decision to not recognize Russian and Belarusian Comps is a mistake.

[Ordway Persyn]

So I just found out about the decision about comps regarding Ukraine, Russia and Belarus and I think The WCA made the wrong decision.

Now just to be clear I'm not supporting Putin, the Russian government or the Belarusian government here, in fact I condemn the invasion. But, I think the we need to make the distinction between these governments and the people they rule over. I believe a majority of people in these two countries are in no way responsible for the invasion and I believe the WCA's decision unfairly punishes said people. In fact I believe punishing Russians and Belarusians like this will only make them more sympathetic to Putin and his cause. Many people In these countries do not support the invasion and if we want to end this conflict earlier we need to support these people not alienate them.

Also, I believe this decision is against the goal of the WCA to grow and give more opportunities to cubers around the world by increasing access to WCA comps. This is also an example of the WCA taking political sides and potentially alienating parts of the speedcubing community which will only serve to weaken the cubing community. I believe it's great that the speedcubing commmunity is a place where people can put aside their differences in politics, backround, personal differences and nationality in order to bond over shared interests and I would hate to see such divisions rear their ugly head in the commmunity.

Now with that last comment in mind I do not wish to start drama or any sort of witch hunts with this thread. I just wish to share my opinions on an issue I believe is very important to the cubing community and hope to start civil discussion. I also understand that this was not an easy decision for those in the WCA to make. And to all Russian, Belarusian and Ukrainian cubers reading this. I'm happy you're part of our community and I hope you are all doing well.

 

[qwr]

I agree with you. The WCA is not an international politicking organization like the Olympic Committee inevitably is. Russian and Belarusian cubers are not the ones who have decided that the leaders in their government should act this way and the WCA acts like its "sanctions" matter at all to the governments of the world compared to actual sanctions. This reeks to me of WCA grandstanding and pearl clutching, complete with generic PR phrasing, rather than careful consideration of what the WCA is fundamentally: an organization for people who like to solve twisty puzzles quickly, or with fewest moves, or blindfolded, etc.

(btw you probably meant you don't condone the invasion.)

 

[GenTheSnail]

condone

did you mean to say "condemn"?

 

[Ordway Persyn]

did you mean to say "condemn"?

yes I'll fix that

 

[Theoruff]

Bruh yall are so late, the decision was made on the second of March, however here is the thread, I highly recommend reading it. It has good insight.
https://forum.worldcubeassociation....titions-in-russia-because-of-the-war/18544/70

 

[qwr]

Bruh yall are so late, the decision was made on the second of March, however here is the thread, I highly recommend reading it. It has good insight.
https://forum.worldcubeassociation....titions-in-russia-because-of-the-war/18544/70

Yes it's late, but we can still have a discussion on it. I see @One Wheel already participated quite a bit