Kremlin calls Russian Winter Paralympics ban ‘disgrace’ after IPC U-turn

The Kremlin is very happy with the decision to exclude Russia from the Paralympic Winter Games. This comes after the International Paralympic Committee initially allowed them to compete

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IPC makes U-turn as Russian and Belarusian athletes banned from Paralympics

The Kremlin has denounced Russia’s ban from the outset Winter Paralympics as “disgrace”.

First, the IPC (International Paralympic Committee) explained. Russia allowed to take part in Beijing.

However, she have since revised their decision following pressure from the National Paralympic Committees (NPCs) amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

According to IPC President Andrew Parsons, the change of heart was due to potential negative implications for the Winter Paralympics, which begin tomorrow.

“They told us that if we don’t reconsider our decision, it will likely have serious consequences for the Winter Games now,” Parsons said at a media conference in the Chinese capital today.

“Several NPCs, some of whom have been contacted by their governments, teams and athletes, are threatening not to compete.”

He added: “In making our decision yesterday, we have in mind the long-term health and survival of the Paralympic Movement.

“We are very proud of the principles and values ​​that have made the movement what it is today.

“In order to protect the integrity of these Games and the safety of all participants, we have decided to reject RPC and NPC Belarus’ athlete applications.”

Athletes from Belarus are also prohibited from participating in the Games due to their role in the Games Ukraine Invasion.

Russian President Wladimir Putin The press secretary of , Dmitry Peskov, struck the U-turn the day before the opening ceremony of the IPC.

“This situation is definitely outrageous,” Peskov said, as reported by Russia’s official state news agency TASS .

“Obviously this is a shame for the International Paralympic Committee as I cannot find any other words to describe it.

“We definitely condemn the International Paralympic Committee for this decision.”

Russian Sports Minister Oleg Matytsin said the country will appeal the decision by taking the verdict to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

“We are currently working to establish our legal position to file lawsuits to protect the rights of our athletes, against discrimination against athletes based on their ethnicity and against the use of sport as a tool of political pressure,” he said.

“Today’s decision to ban our team is a flagrant violation of athletes’ rights and a manipulation of the Olympic Charter and the values ​​of human life for political ends.”