MADRID, 3 Mar. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The International Paralympic Committee (CPI) will not finally allow the participation of Russia and Belarus in the Winter Paralympic Games that open this Friday in Beijing due to “threats not to compete” from other countries that have forced it to change its mind in 24 hours.
This Wednesday, the body confirmed that the athletes from these two countries could compete in the event as neutrals and that it was not going to veto them due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, a measure that aroused criticism for not being in line with what they were doing most of the federations in this regard.
“Following a specially convened meeting, the International Paralympic Committee Governing Board has decided to reject the entries of athletes from the Russian Paralympic Committee and the Belarusian Paralympic Committee to the Beijing 2022 Winter Paralympic Games,” the IPC said in a statement on Monday. their website.
In this sense, Andrew Parsons, president of the CPI, stressed that they “firmly believe that sport and politics should not mix”, but lamented that the war is affecting the event “behind the scenes” and that “many governments are influencing” right now at your “cherished event”.
“The IPC is a membership-based organization and we are receptive to the views of our member organisations. When our members elected this Board in December 2021 it was to uphold and uphold the principles, values and rules of the Paralympic Movement. As members of the Together, it is a responsibility and a duty that we take very seriously,” added the Brazilian, who a day earlier had assured that allowing Russia and Belarus to compete as neutrals was “the most severe punishment possible” under its regulations.
In this sense, he clarified that in this first decision they were “analyzing the long-term health and survival of the Paralympic Movement”, but that what he considered a situation “in rapid escalation now” had forced them to put themselves “in a unique and impossible so close to the start of the Games.”
“Yesterday Wednesday we said we’d keep listening and that’s what we’re doing. In the last 12 hours, an overwhelming number of members have contacted us and been very open, for which I’m grateful. They’ve told us yes We do not reconsider our decision, it is likely to have serious consequences for the Games. Multiple National Paralympic Committees, some of which have been contacted by their governments, teams and athletes, threaten not to compete, “said the leader.
SEES THOSE AFFECTED “VICTIMS OF THE ACTIONS OF THEIR GOVERNMENTS”
Parsons does not forget that “guaranteeing the safety of athletes is of the utmost importance and the situation in the villages has now become untenable.” “First of all, we have a duty to guarantee and supervise the organization of successful Paralympic Games, to ensure that the spirit of fair play prevails in the sport practiced within the Paralympic Movement, the prohibition of violence, the management of health risks of athletes and respect for fundamental ethical principles,” he stressed.
“With this in mind, and in order to preserve the integrity of these Games and the safety of all participants, we have decided to refuse entry to athletes from Russia and Belarus. To the athletes from the affected countries, we are very sorry that affected by the decisions your governments took last week to violate the Olympic Truce, you are victims of their actions,” he stressed.
The president of the CPI numbered 83 athletes who “are directly affected by this decision” and reiterated that if the two countries continue in Beijing “it is likely” that the rest will “withdraw” and that they will not be able to have “viable” Games . “If this were to happen, the impact would be much broader,” he warned.
“I hope and pray that we can get back to a situation where the conversation and focus is fully on the power of sport to transform the lives of people with disabilities and the best of humanity.”