World Taekwondo revokes Vladimir Putin's honorary black belt

Governing body says Moscow's actions went against the sport's vision: 'Peace is more precious than triumph'

People desperate to leave Ukraine try to board a train at the railway station in Lviv. All photos: Oliver Marsden for The National

Ukrainian men returning from Poland to fight for their country help pass over donations of clothes at the border crossing from Poland into Ukraine.

A train driver tells people on the platform that he cannot pick anyone up at the station in Lviv.

An elderly woman sits alone waiting to cross the border from Ukraine into Poland as fighting continues.

Days-long waits to cross borders have been reported.

Ukrainian men aged between 18 and 60 have been stopped from leaving Ukraine amid a conscription drive to defend against Russia.

A couple carry their child out of the ticket hall at Lviv railway station.

A family attempts to walk the last 25 kilometres of the journey to the Polish border.

A mother tries to keep her daughter warm on the platform of Lviv railway station.

Elise from Kiev sits waiting for a train to take her out of Ukraine after hearing that Poland has closed its borders.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin has had his honorary black belt in taekwondo revoked by the sport's governing body in response to the military action in Ukraine.

As Russian troops amass outside Kiev, and hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian refugees flee into neighbouring countries, world leaders have heaped economic sanctions on Putin and his closest allies, as well as Russian-linked businesses.

World Taekwondo, which governs international federations for the sport, was the latest organisation to condemn Putin, saying on Tuesday that Moscow's actions went against the sport's vision: "Peace is more precious than triumph."

"In this regard, World Taekwondo has decided to withdraw the honorary 9th dan black belt conferred to Mr Vladimir Putin in November 2013," the Seoul-based body said.

It added that official taekwondo events would not be organised in Russia or Belarus.

In line with the International Olympic Committee's urging, the flags and anthems of both countries will also not be displayed or played at taekwondo events around the world.

"World Taekwondo's thoughts are with the people of Ukraine and we hope for a peaceful and immediate end to this war," it said.

Putin does not actually do taekwondo, but is instead accomplished in judo, another martial art, and has long served as an honorary president to the International Judo Federation.

On Sunday the IJF suspended his status as honorary president and ambassador to the sport.

On Monday, the International Olympic Committee urged sports federations and organisers to exclude Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials from international events following Russia's attack on Ukraine.

The International Ice Hockey Federation banned all Russian national teams and clubs from its events, while organisers of basketball's Euroleague and Eurocup competitions announced that Russian teams had been suspended.

The Formula One Russian Grand Prix scheduled for September 25 was cancelled last week with organisers saying it was "impossible" to hold the race in the current circumstances.

Football made a stance with Fifa and Uefa - the world and European football governing bodies - simultaneously banning Russia from its club and international competitions on Monday.

On Tuesday, World Rugby banned Russia and Belarus from all international tournaments while the Badminton World Federation (BWF) on Monday also cancelled all sanctioned events in Russia and Belarus, and banned them from hosting future tournaments "until further notice".