The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs says the United States is attempting to bar its freestyle wrestlers from competing in a World Cup next week in Iowa.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the ministry said the U.S. embassy in Moscow did not schedule visa interviews for members of the freestyle wrestling team. The ministry accused the United States of “direct and open discrimination” and said the country is unfit to hold international competitions.
The Freestyle World Cup starts April 5 in Iowa City.
“We estimate this US move as yet another notorious example of efforts to prevent Russian athletes from participating in international competitions,” the ministry said in a statement.