The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) published the conditions under which Russian athletes are allowed to compete only in neutral status under a white flag with black letters NPA (Neutral Paralympic Athletes), prohibiting them from participating in the opening ceremonies and closing of the Paralympic Games. Games, and not counting their medals in the general classification.
“The IPC looks like a weak organization, susceptible to the influence of the International Olympic Committee and other structures. They understand the importance of the Russian Paralympic Committee and the Paralympic movement, but unfortunately, they were the first to ban our athletes from participating in the Paralympic Games (in Rio de Janeiro in 2016). They understand that this policy cannot continue, but at the same time they create the conditions so that the presence of our athletes is invisible. This organization is afraid of everything: publicity, defending its positions.
This decision was predictable, nothing surprising. The ban on participation in the opening and closing ceremonies is due to the desire to minimize the presence of our athletes, even under a neutral flag. They don’t want to see props, hear the word “Russia”, see flags – it scares them. This is simply a manifestation of cowardice and inability to make independent decisions,” Kolobkov noted in an interview with TASS.
The Paris Paralympic Games are scheduled to take place from August 28 to September 8, 2024.
- Kolobkov: “The IOC conditions are humiliating”
Source: Sport
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