Russian athletes are absent from two ongoing International Fencing Federation (FIE) events, and the Belarusian Fencing Federation (BRFF) has written to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) criticising conditions required for the return of its athletes.

and has written to IOC President Thomas Bach - himself an Olympic fencing gold medallist with West Germany

Group of Seven (G7) leaders have pledged their commitment to ensuring that Russian and Belarusian athletes are "in no way appearing as representatives of their states".

in response to the war in Ukraine.Leaders of the seven nations, which also include Britain, Canada, Germany

Switzerland made it four wins from four with a 4-2 victory over Slovakia at the Ice Hockey World Championship in Riga.

🚨Germany gets their first win of the tournament over Denmark!

pic.twitter.com/BRrXhRE8KD— IIHF (@IIHFHockey) May 19, 2023The Nokia Arena also hosted a 10-goal thriller as Germany

defeated Denmark 6-4.The Danish team scored the opening goal and drew level twice but Germany emerged

is due to continue tomorrow with Hungary playing co-hosts Finland in Group A in Tampere, followed by Germany

Picture gallery 

Bulgaria topped the charts in the ball qualifiers ©Azerbaijan Gymnastics Federation Darja Varfolomeev of Germany

India were the highest-profile casualty from the group stage of badminton's Sudirman Cup in Suzhou, falling to Malaysia and Chinese Taipei.

world number two Anthony Sinisuka Ginting, started with a 5-0 win against Canada and 4-1 triumph over Germany

Israel won the junior groups all-around gold medal at the 2023 European Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships here.

event by winning bronze with a score of 29.550.Azerbaijan managed to finish fourth with 28.500, with Germany

European ball and ribbon champion Boryana Kaleyn of Bulgaria and clubs world champion Darja Varfolomeev of Germany

Who knows whether Russia’s onslaught on Ukraine will be over by summer 2024.

of a revived Friendship Games.Even in Europe, the attitude towards the Games of various countries - Germany

Georgia's Sandro Bazadze came out on top at the International Fencing Federation (FIE) World Cup for men's sabre in Madrid.

and Belarus to return, following the invasion of Ukraine.World Cups in Bonn and Tauberbischofsheim in Germany

Canada and the United States both remained unbeaten at the Ice Hockey World Championship, but each were made to work hard for their third victories in three matches at the tournament being co-hosted by Finland and Latvia.

The US had to fight hard to overcome Germany 3-2 in Group A at the Nokia Arena in Tampere, while Canada

following Farrell’s 46th minute equaliser.Attard had put the Americans in front in the 26th minute before Germany

It’s hard to come from behind, especially against a good team like Germany.

Coronato, second left, scored the winning goal for the United States as they came from behind to beat Germany

China claimed four golds to top the medals table at the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup in Baku, Azerbaijan.

settled for silver with 33 points.Reigning mixed team 25m pistol world champion Doreen Vennekamp of Germany

240.2 was enough to beat silver medallist Oleh Omelchuk of Ukraine, who scored 239.8.Robin Walter of Germany

Tokyo 2020 bronze medallist Katie Vincent of Canada stood out on the final day of the International Canoe Federation (ICF) Canoe Sprint World Cup in Szeged by winning two gold medals.

gold in the women’s KL1, beating Chile’s Katherinn Wollermann and Paralympic champion Edina Mueller of Germany

Picture Gallery

finals ©Getty ImagesLasha Bekauri holds down his opponent during his victory in Georgia's win over Germany

after sealing bronze ©Getty ImagesGuusje Steenhuis got the match-winning point to secure bronze for Germany

Japan snatched victory from the jaws of defeat in a dramatic and contentious showdown with France to retain the mixed teams title at the World Judo Championships here.

for Koen Heg, Kim Polling and Guusje Steenhuis.The other bronze medal was won by Georgia who defeated Germany

Britain have claimed the mixed team relay crown at the International Modern Pentathlon Union World Cup in Sofia, Bulgaria.

the fencing element, with 21 wins, as they ended on 1,325 points.Pele Uibel and Rebecca Langrehr of Germany