Sharp criticism of Paralympics decision to start from Russia: Germany complains of “completely wrong signal”

“I have been a member of the Paralympic Movement since the IPC was founded in 1989, but I am deeply ashamed of this decision,” said Chef de Mission Karl Quade. When he then reported the jubilation about the shameful decision from the Russian house, the experienced DBS deputy even cried.

DBS President Friedhelm-Julius Beucher was also completely upset. The IPC decision was “unacceptable and in the current global political situation sent the wrong signal,” complained the 75-year-old with a grim expression. This is “Killefitz” and “false labeling”, “a dark page in the history of the IPC, and the matter has not yet been forgotten”.

Despite the atrocities of war in Ukraine, the IPC had not “sided with humanity,” criticized Beucher. Rather, the 14-strong Governing Board “argued with a set of rules, while in Ukraine there are no rules and shooting and murder.”

DOSB shares the opinion of the DBS: “Wrong decision”

The German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) supported the DBS. DOSB President Thomas Weikert said the decision was wrong: “Participation based on renaming something supposedly ‘neutral’ undermines the intention and goal of the sanctions to counter the blatant breach of international law with signs that are visible worldwide.”

The Games for People with Physical Disabilities will open in Beijing on Friday. He was curious, said Quade, “what will happen at the opening ceremony”. He ruled out a general cancellation of the Paralympics from the point of view of the DBS. “Every athlete has to decide for himself whether he starts or not”.

The IPC decided on Wednesday that the teams from Russia and Belarus can compete neutrally and under the Paralympic flag, despite the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine. Both associations are also not included in the medal table. That Russia’s despot Vladimir Putin will be stripped of his Paralympic medal? Free!

The IPC condemns “the gross violation of the Olympic ceasefire by the Russian and Belarusian governments,” Parsons said. When deciding on measures, however, it is “of fundamental importance to remain politically neutral”. Parsons spoke of the “hardest punishment that we can impose under the current IPC rules”.

IPC President Parsons calls for unity

The IPC is pretty much alone with its fatal decision. Even the always hesitant International Olympic Committee (IOC), numerous professional associations and the major football associations FIFA and UEFA had, under increasing pressure, decided to adopt a tough stance against Russia and Belarus and suspended the associations.

Meanwhile, Parsons called for unity. “Now that this decision has been made, I expect all participating NPCs to treat the neutral athletes like any other athlete at these Games, no matter how difficult that may be,” Parsons said. Unlike their respective governments, “these Paralympic athletes and officials are not the aggressors.”

It is “vitally important,” added the IPC President, “that we show world leaders through our sport that we can unite as people and that our true power lies in promoting peace, understanding and inclusion.” , You should “not lose sight of that now, no matter the circumstances”.

DBS with 18 athletes at the start

Does the 20-strong Ukrainian team that landed in Beijing on Wednesday agree? After the Russian invasion, the delegation had already demanded the exclusion of Russia and Belarus in an open letter to IOC President Thomas Bach and Parsons.

The Russians competed under a neutral flag at the Paralympics in Pyeongchang four years ago because of the Sochi doping scandal. In the medal table, the team took second place behind the USA (36) with 24 medals. Belarus won twelve medals.

The DBS starts with 18 athletes, and the visually impaired are supported by six guides. There are 78 competitions in six sports. A total of around 650 athletes from 47 national Paralympic committees will be present in Beijing – plus Russia and Belarus flying the IPC flag.

(SID)