French Visas Denied to Russian Athletes – Paralympic Committee
France has turned down a request from the International Paralympic Committee to grant visas to two athletes from Russia. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
France has denied visas to two Russian athletes slated to participate in the upcoming Paris Paralympic Games, according to an announcement from the Russian Paralympic Committee (RPC). The RPC criticized the move as a further politicization of sports.
The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) previously confirmed that 88 Russian participants would compete under a neutral banner at the event, scheduled from August 28 to September 8. Despite this, the RPC's press release highlighted that the French authorities have disregarded the IPC and the organizing committee's appeals to allow the two Russian nationals entry into the country.
“It is unacceptable for a country that hosts such major sports events as the Olympic and Paralympic Games,” the RPC expressed. They also lamented that the decision particularly harms athletes with disabilities who are pushing to excel in their sports.
The RPC emphasized that all Russian athletes were rigorously vetted for neutrality and have met all the necessary qualifications to compete in the Paralympics. “The host country always guarantees the resolution of all visa issues. So, the question goes to the organizers – why hold competitions in a place where you cannot ensure that all athletes have equal opportunities to arrive in a particular country?” the RPC questioned.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) had initially prohibited Russian and Belarusian athletes from participating after the conflict in Ukraine began in February 2022. The IOC later lifted this comprehensive exclusion, allowing a select number to partake in the Paris Games under neutral conditions and as independent entrants. In addition to various other restrictions during the qualification phase, the IOC disqualified competitors who either voiced public support for Moscow’s military actions in Ukraine or had affiliations with Russian military sports clubs.
Para-athletes from Russia and Belarus must also compete without national symbols. They underwent a two-step verification to secure invitations to the Games.
As further stipulations, these athletes are excluded from the Paralympics' opening and closing ceremonies. Any medals won by neutral athletes will not appear on the official Games medal table. If a neutral competitor clinches a gold medal, the Paralympic anthem will be played instead of a national anthem.
Russian officials have been openly critical of the IOC's restrictions, asserting that they undermine the foundational principles of the Olympics. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has voiced significant disdain, accusing the IOC of “destroying Olympic ideals.”
Thomas Evans for TROIB News
The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) previously confirmed that 88 Russian participants would compete under a neutral banner at the event, scheduled from August 28 to September 8. Despite this, the RPC's press release highlighted that the French authorities have disregarded the IPC and the organizing committee's appeals to allow the two Russian nationals entry into the country.
“It is unacceptable for a country that hosts such major sports events as the Olympic and Paralympic Games,” the RPC expressed. They also lamented that the decision particularly harms athletes with disabilities who are pushing to excel in their sports.
The RPC emphasized that all Russian athletes were rigorously vetted for neutrality and have met all the necessary qualifications to compete in the Paralympics. “The host country always guarantees the resolution of all visa issues. So, the question goes to the organizers – why hold competitions in a place where you cannot ensure that all athletes have equal opportunities to arrive in a particular country?” the RPC questioned.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) had initially prohibited Russian and Belarusian athletes from participating after the conflict in Ukraine began in February 2022. The IOC later lifted this comprehensive exclusion, allowing a select number to partake in the Paris Games under neutral conditions and as independent entrants. In addition to various other restrictions during the qualification phase, the IOC disqualified competitors who either voiced public support for Moscow’s military actions in Ukraine or had affiliations with Russian military sports clubs.
Para-athletes from Russia and Belarus must also compete without national symbols. They underwent a two-step verification to secure invitations to the Games.
As further stipulations, these athletes are excluded from the Paralympics' opening and closing ceremonies. Any medals won by neutral athletes will not appear on the official Games medal table. If a neutral competitor clinches a gold medal, the Paralympic anthem will be played instead of a national anthem.
Russian officials have been openly critical of the IOC's restrictions, asserting that they undermine the foundational principles of the Olympics. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has voiced significant disdain, accusing the IOC of “destroying Olympic ideals.”
Thomas Evans for TROIB News
