Due to the overlapping dates of the international pageants i.e. Miss World 2019 and Miss Universe 2019, Russia will have to withdraw from the 68th edition of the Miss Universe as the winner of Miss Russia 2019 Alina Sanko, is going to represent the country at Miss World 2019 which is going to take place on 14th December 2019.
The director of the Miss Russia contest Anastasia Belyak said on Monday after a press conference that, “This year, unfortunately, the organizers of the Miss Universe pageant have announced the dates and location of the finale too late. We planned that [Miss Russia 2019 winner] Alina Sanko will take part in two contests: Miss World and Miss Universe. This year, the contests are overlapping: one will take place on December 8, the other on the 14th [of December]. We found that out less than a month ago. We are not going, because the organizers informed us too late.”
One of the prizes of Miss Russia 2019 is the ability to take part in Miss World as well as Miss Universe. According to Belyak, Sanko does not have enough time to get a US visa and prepare for the Miss Universe pageant. "We wish that such a large-scale event would inform of the details of its organization with time to spare," she lamented.
Miss Universe 2019 will be the 68th edition of the Miss Universe competition. It will be held on December 8, 2019 at Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta, Georgia in the United States. Catriona Gray of the Philippines will crown her successor by the end of the event. The pageant will be hosted by Steve Harvey in his fifth consecutive year as host. A new crown made by luxury jeweler Mouawad will make its debut.