March 04, (THEWILL) –Â The decision to exclude Russian and Belarusian competitors from the Winter Paralympics defies “all Paralympic movement premises”, according to the Russian Paralympic Committee (RPC), which also criticises International Olympic Committee (IOC) President, Thomas Bach.
“The Russian Paralympic Committee has carefully studied all the arguments according to which Russian athletes are deprived of the right to participate in the Games in Beijing”, the ROC statement read.
“None of them stand up to criticism – the decision is politically motivated, it contradicts all Paralympic movement premises, and clearly and explicitly shows everyone that, unfortunately, double standards have become the norm for modern sports.”
THEWILL recalls that after the invasion of Ukraine, competitors from Russia and Belarus were supposed to be permitted to compete in Beijing as neutrals this month. After a number of protests, including from the British Paralympic Association, the International Paralympic Committee changed its mind.
Russia had entered 71 athletes for the Paralympics, which begin on Saturday after the opening ceremony on Friday, while Belarus had entered 12, none of whom are now permitted to compete.
The RPC has now decided to remove its athletes from China after considering an appeal, saying: “The current situation also makes it clear to everyone: strong rivals, which the Russian team has always been and will be, are not needed today.
“The recommendations by the President of the International Olympic Committee, Thomas Bach, lead to the degradation and collapse of the entire global sport.”
The IOC had recommended that all Russian and Belarusian competitors be barred from international tournaments earlier this week, claiming that doing so would “lead to the degradation and collapse of the entire global sport”, which the RPC quoted in criticism of Bach.
Even if a peace deal is reached, IOC President Bach has stated that penalties against Russian and Belarusian competitors would not be lifted.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
