From the 23rd to the 26th of July the U21 European Championships will take place in Grozny, the capital of the region Chechnya part of the Russian Federation. However, the national team of the DTU will not be on site.
No, the DTU was not resuspended by ETU-President Pragalos … would have to be.
Reason is probably still precarious security situation in the region, as well as the travel warning of the Foreign Office of the Federal Republic of Germany. These circumstances had prompted the DTU on May 05th to cancel their participation at the European Championships:
„Travel in the North Caucasus:
When traveling to the North Caucasus Federal District and adjacent regions is drawn to the increased security threat. In particular, of non-essential travel to Ingushetia, Chechnya, Dagestan and Kabardino-Balkaria is strongly discouraged.
In the regions mentioned above, there is a high security risk because of attacks, armed clashes and kidnapping cases.
Person traveling despite the high risks in the regions mentioned above, can expect only limited possibilities of assistance of the German Embassy in Moscow in an emergency. In the short term decreed restrictions on freedom of travel for foreigners can not be excluded „. [Source: Foreign Office of Germany]
The German Taekwondo Union is not alone by doing this step. Other European Associations have also either already canceled their participation or weigh this step.
Wondrous „participation“ in the registration site
Nevertheless, the DTU was found itself in the registration site „Hangastar“, as a participant nation. Including athletes listed for the German National Team which were not nominated by the DTU. Even the name of „officials“ of the DTU are listed. Big irritation at those responsible Officials for the national association, because nobody had arranged a sing in for the National Team. In this respect, DTU President Klawitter sent a letter causes the ETU, inviting them to comment. How, in the meantime, it became known, same thing happened at the Danish Association. Denmark also decided not to take part in U21-EM and asked the Hangastar team to move the Danish athletes.
Conclusion: It seems to be that the (by whomever) reported athletes are individual participants who qualified through the President Cup and now will take place on their own responsibility and risk. Whether the possibility, the ETU wants to carry a different image in the public, with such registrations, as actually given, is pure speculation. Still the behave of some ETU Officials it is simply irresponsibly in the meantime!