'Unparalleled': Shock twist after Paralympics' Russia backlash
The International Paralympics Committee (IPC) has reversed its decision on Russian athletes and banned them from participating at this year's event following severe backlash from competitors after the invasion of Ukraine.
With Russian athletes and teams increasingly banned from competing in sporting events around the world, Paralympics chiefs initially bucked the trend and allowed athletes from Russia and Belarus to compete under a neutral flag.
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But only 24 hours later - with many of the athletes having already arrived - the IPC backed down on the decision to allow Russians and Belarusians to compete as neutral athletes, without their colours, flags and other national symbols.
It cited threats from National Paralympic Committees, teams and athletes not to compete, saying such a boycott would jeopardise the Games' viability.
"In the last 12 hours, an overwhelming number of members have been in touch with us," IPC president Andrew Parsons said in a statement.
"They have told us that if we do not reconsider our decision, it is now likely to have grave consequences for the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games.
Russian and Belarusian athletes were barred from the Winter Paralympics in Beijing on the eve of the Games, International Paralympic Committee President Andrew Parsons said https://t.co/zhyXWk3TkB pic.twitter.com/evEdAFSPKj
— Reuters (@Reuters) March 3, 2022
"Multiple NPCs, some of which have been contacted by their governments, teams and athletes, are threatening not to compete.
"Ensuring the safety and security of athletes is of paramount importance to us and the situation in the athlete villages is escalating and has now become untenable."
This was a tough decision for many Russian and Belarusian athletes that had already arrived in China for the 2022 Paralympics Games.
Paralympics community reacts to shock U-turn
Parsons admitted the committee hadn't anticipated the level of backlash they would receive from teams when it came to the original decision.
"We haven't underestimated the situation but what we tried to do with the previous decision was to stick to the principles of the organisation and keep war outside of these Games," he said.
"The war was brought to these Games and it was escalated."
CBC Reporter Devin Heroux said the pushback from athletes and officials was 'unparalleled' in its nature.
He reported up to 83 members of the Russia and Belarus teams were sent home following the ruling.
Some felt the belated decision was harsh on the athletes that had already arrived in China.
Signing off for the night.
An extraordinary 48 hours in Beijing — with unparalleled athlete pushback. Compelling stories ahead to be sure.
Paralympics Opening Ceremony tomorrow. Good night sports fans. pic.twitter.com/8cURpGdew8— Devin Heroux (@Devin_Heroux) March 3, 2022
What’s clear in this IPC statement is that enough National Paralympic Committees applied immense pressure on the IPC to reverse course.
This is something we don’t always see in sporting systems.
That pressure lead to the banning of Russia and Belarus at the Paralympics.— Devin Heroux (@Devin_Heroux) March 3, 2022
these athletes have to overcome many hurdles just to train so they can participate in these games... it is a shame that they have to suffer yet another obstacle in life...
while we tend to avoid the political sphere... have to express our disappointment chosen by @Paralympics https://t.co/rc2ocWez3Y— Vegas Sports ® (@VegasSports) March 3, 2022
Sounds like the mood at the athlete’s village was intense following #Russia’s invasion of #Ukraine, according to #Beijing Paralympic officials. They wouldn’t go into details but this was one reason #Russia and #Belarus had to be kicked out officials said. #China #UkraineRussiaWar
— Stephen McDonell (@StephenMcDonell) March 3, 2022
Oh wow. The Paralympics came out yesterday saying Belarus and Russia could still compete without flags.
Cue lots of grumbling from the Western national boards, but thought that was the end of that.
Today, just now, both countries have been booted.— Paul Meek (@PaulMeekPerth) March 3, 2022
Russia hit back at the IPC's decision and labelled it 'monstrous'.
"The situation is monstrous, of course. This is a disgrace for the International Paralympic Committee," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said.
"We strongly condemn the International Paralympic Committee for this decision."
Ukraine Paralympic committee president Valeriy Sushkevych expressed how important it was for the athletes to be competing in this year's Games.
"I can say that this is a miracle that we managed to be here at the Paralympic Games," he told reporters.
"The easiest way for us would have been to not go to the Paralympics.. But we couldn’t give up and not come."
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