The end of the war of aggression against Ukraine is not in sight, but Russian athletes will still be allowed to take part in the 2024 Paralympics in Paris under a neutral flag. The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) lifted Russia’s complete exclusion on Friday at its members and general meeting in Bahrain.
The result of the vote was clear with 74 votes to 65 against and 13 abstentions. In another vote, the IPC decided to partially exclude the Russian Paralympic Committee. This means that Russian athletes can take part in the 2024 Paralympic Games “in an individual and neutral capacity”.
Even before the vote, the President of the German Disabled Sports Association (DBS), Julius Beucher, criticized the possible return of Russian para-athletes to the FAZ: “The neutral status is window dressing. I experienced the singing of Russian songs in the Paralympic Village in Beijing and the cheers for the Russian flag.” The Kremlin’s influence on Russian athletes exists regardless of status.
Mixed reactions from Russia
Beucher accepted the IPC’s decision, which was now announced in Bahrain, with dismay: “This is not a great moment for the IPC’s community of values,” said the 77-year-old to the German Press Agency. “There is still war going on. More terrible than before.” No expression of regret was heard from the Russian Paralympic Committee, said Beucher. “No, on the contrary. They call for war, glorify murder and killing.” In a statement published by the DBS a little later, Beucher reiterated his incomprehension of the vote results: “It is the identification and certainty of a credibility gap in international para sports, which is not different from other world associations makes more difference.”
In Russia, as expected, the news of the return was initially greeted with euphoria: “Thank God, we are very happy for them and believe in our para-athletes,” legendary Russian figure skating coach Tatyana Tarasova told Russian media. “It’s good news “That they can finally perform and represent Russia. Even if their uniforms don’t say which country they come from.”
Criticism, however, came from Russian politician and former speed skater Svetlana Shurova: “They are trying to disguise their actions to say that they are pro-sport in a certain way,” the 2006 Olympic champion told Russian media. “They talk everywhere of achievements like how they taught us how to care for people with disabilities. And now they are lashing out on this issue themselves, which of course is inhumane. This is basically a boast.” Zhurova doubted whether it was even worth participating under a neutral status.
A comment from Christoph Becker Published/Updated: Recommendations: 19 Published/Updated: Recommendations: 3 Alexander Davydov Published/Updated: Recommendations: 13
In a separate decision, a few hours after the verdict on the Russian para-athletes, Belarus was also admitted to the Paris Paralympics under a neutral flag. The games will take place in Paris from August 28th to September 8th.
