Formula One terminates Russian Grand Prix contract amid invasion of Ukraine

When Formula One announced last week it canceled this season's Russian Grand Prix scheduled to occur in Sochi on Sept. 25 as a result of the country's invasion of Ukraine, race promoter Rosgonki responded that purchased tickets for the event were not yet canceled and that it was "possible that the round will take place and will be held as previously scheduled."

It appears that's no longer the case. 

According to Sky Sports and other outlets, Formula One confirmed Thursday it has terminated its contract with the Russian Grand Prix, a move that scraps plans to hold future races in the nation for now. 

"Formula One can confirm it has terminated its contract with the Russian Grand Prix promoter, meaning Russia will not have a race in the future," the organization said in a statement shared by Laurence Edmondson of ESPN. 

F1's deal to add a Russian round to its calendar was inked in 2014 and was set to run through 2025. 

Meanwhile, the FIA, F1's governing body, elected against banning Russian drivers from motorsport but said those individuals must compete under a "neutral" flag.

Also on Thursday, the International Paralympic Committee officially banned Russian and Belarusian athletes from competing in the upcoming Winter Paralympics in Beijing. The International Ice Hockey Federation previously banned Russian and Belarusian clubs and national sides from all of its competitions "until further notice," while UEFA and FIFA suspended Russian national teams and clubs from their competitions on Monday.

The Associated Press (h/t ESPN) reports Belarus "is still at risk of being banned" from European and international football competitions because that nation reportedly has served as a launch point for Russian troops and equipment entering Ukraine.