'Disgusting': World condemns 'shameful' Russia call by Paralympics
Winter Paralympics organisers are facing condemnation from around the world after the controversial decision to allow athletes from Russia and Belarus to compete as 'neutrals' at the upcoming Games in Beijing.
With Russian athletes and teams increasingly banned from competing in sporting events around the world, Paralympics chiefs have bucked the trend by allowing athletes from Russia and Belarus to compete under a neutral flag.
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On a day where Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich felt compelled to put one of the world's biggest football clubs Chelsea up for sale, sports including biathlon and table tennis became the latest to exclude Russian and Belarusian competitors because of the invasion of Ukraine.
However, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), says Russians and Belarusians would be able to compete in Beijing as "neutral athletes" without national symbols - a decision that has prompted widespread condemnation.
Angry users reacted to the decision by taking to social media in droves, with many labelling the move "shameful" and calling on athletes to boycott events that involve competitors from Russia or Belarus.
Athletes scheduled to compete against those from Russia or Belarus should step down, boycott that event. Putin & Xi Jinping get their way in another shameful - sadly predictable - decision. Shame on the @Paralympics & @iocmedia https://t.co/JWGdigb0z0
— Marcus Agar (@MarcusAgar) March 2, 2022
Bad call by the IPC to allow athletes from Russia and Belarus to participate in the #Paralympics we need unity on a complete cultural and sporting embargo on these regimes.
— Michael Sparkes #FBPE #FBPPR 💙🇪🇺🇺🇦🇬🇧 (@SparkesMichael) March 2, 2022
All western countries should pull out of the Paralympics now the IOC has agreed to allow Russia and Belarus to compete.
This is a disgusting decision and the only way to show international contempt is to withdraw.https://t.co/JdvapvM6db— Malcolm Hill (@malc_hill) March 2, 2022
Shame on you for allowing the athletes to compete. Whether they are the aggressors or not, they are still representing Russia.
— bad parking at Akbars (@AkbarsBad) March 2, 2022
Disappointed that Russia is being allowed to copete in the Paralympics, a pity it would be for the sportsmen, but that’s a price they should pay! Other countries should not refuse to compete. I know I would!
— susan payne (@tarkapayne) March 2, 2022
If the IOC/IPC are allowing Russia and Belarus to compete in Beijing, then the rest of the world must boycott the paralympics ✊🇺🇦✊ https://t.co/CJ7ZLAP503
— Ziggy 🇺🇦 (@Karenlovecheese) March 2, 2022
So the Russians can compete in the Paralympics as neutrals?
This is wrong.
Other countries should withdraw their athletes in solidarity with Ukraine.
I know it is hard on individuals, but this is a very poor decision by the IPC & undermines the world condemnation of Russia.
IMO.— HijackedEUrophile. #JohnsonOUT! 🇺🇦 (@EHijacked) March 2, 2022
Russians competing as neutrals in the Paralympics is wrong. Russia should be totally closed off from the rest of the world to show that there’s no place in the 21st century for an unwarranted invasion of another country.
— Louise 💙💛 (@LouiseLacy) March 2, 2022
The Winter Paralympics open in Beijing on Friday and numerous Russian athletes are already in the Chinese capital. The IPC has said it is working to get the Ukrainian team there, too.
Other sports bodies which have so far let Russians and Belarusians keep competing as neutral athletes include FINA, which governs swimming and other aquatic sports, and the federations for boxing, gymnastics, fencing and judo.
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Abramovich, the Russian billionaire businessman, put Chelsea up for sale in a statement on the club website, vowing to invest profits from the sale in a fund for victims of the war in Ukraine.
The British government had faced calls to place sanctions on Abramovich along with other wealthy Russians.
The governing body for British motorsports banned Russians from competing at events in the country, meaning Formula One driver Nikita Mazepin won't be able to race in the British Grand Prix in July.
The invasion of Ukraine has also led to a reshaping of sports' corporate ties to Russia.
Premier League club Everton have ended their sponsorship with companies belonging to Alisher Usmanov, a Russian billionaire who was placed under European Union sanctions last week.
Premier League games this weekend will be preceded by a show of solidarity toward Ukraine, with captains also wearing armbands in the blue and yellow of the country's flag.
Video game publisher EA Sports announced it would remove Russian clubs and the national team from its hugely popular FIFA series, and would take the Russia and Belarus hockey teams out of its NHL series.
There has also been an exodus of foreign players and coaches at Russian sports teams, with former Norwich manager Daniel Farke quitting as coach of Russian soccer club FC Krasnodar.
Borussia Dortmund have withdrawn honorary club membership from former Germany Chancellor Gerhard Schroder because of the 77-year-old's unwillingness to resign from his positions with Russian state-owned energy companies.
with AAP
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