· Multiple NPCs, teams and athletes now threatening not to compete, jeopardising the viability of the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games
· Situation in the athlete villages
is escalating and ensuring the safety of athletes has become untenable
Following a specially convened
meeting, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Governing Board has
decided to refuse the athlete entries from the RPC and NPC Belarus for the
Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games.
This means that Para athletes from
these respective countries will no longer be allowed to participate in the
Games which open on 4 March 2022.
Andrew Parsons, IPC President, said:
“At the IPC we are very firm believers that sport and politics should not mix.
However, by no fault of its own the war has now come to these Games and behind
the scenes many Governments are having an influence on our cherished event.
“The IPC is a membership-based
organisation, and we are receptive to the views of our member organisations.
“When our members elected the Board
in December 2021 it was to maintain and uphold the principles, values, and
rules of the Paralympic Movement.
As Board members that is a
responsibility and duty we take extremely seriously.
“In taking our decision yesterday we
were looking at the long-term health and survival of the Paralympic
Movement. We are fiercely proud of the
principles and values that have made the Movement what it is today.
“However, what is clear is that the
rapidly escalating situation has now put us in a unique and impossible position
so close to the start of the Games.
“Yesterday we said we would continue
to listen, and that is what we are doing.
“In the last 12 hours an overwhelming
number of members have been in touch with us and been very open, for which I am
grateful. 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. 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. First and foremost, we
have a duty as part of the Paralympic mission, enshrined in the constitution,
to guarantee and supervise the organisation of successful Paralympic Games, to
ensure that in sport practiced within the Paralympic Movement the spirit of
fair play prevails, violence is banned, the health risk of the athletes is
managed and fundamental ethical principles are upheld.
“With this in mind, and in order to
preserve the integrity of these Games and the safety of all participants, we
have decided to refuse the athlete entries from RPC and NPC Belarus.
“To the Para athletes from the
impacted countries, we are very sorry that you are affected by the decisions
your governments took last week in breaching the Olympic Truce. You are victims of your governments’ actions.
“Athlete welfare is and always will
be a key concern for us. As a result of
today’s decision 83 Para athletes are directly impacted by this decision.
However, if RPC and NPC Belarus
remain here in Beijing then nations will likely withdraw. We will likely not
have a viable Games. If this were to
happen, the impact would be far wider reaching.
“I hope and pray that we can get back
to a situation when the talk and focus is fully on the power of sport to
transform the lives of persons with disabilities, and the best of humanity.”
Press Conference
No comments:
Post a Comment