The Paralympic Games in Beijing opened on Friday in a call for peace, after 48 hours during which the organization was mired in a controversy over the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes.
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“I want, I must start with a message of peace,” said International Paralympic Committee (IPC) President Andrew Parsons in his speech to the athletes and spectators gathered at the Bird’s Nest.
“As the leader of an organization focused on inclusion, where diversity is celebrated and differences embraced, I am horrified by what is happening in the world right now,” he continued.
Mr Parsons also condemned Russia’s violation of the Olympic truce, which had to be respected until March 13.
“The Olympic Truce for Peace during the Olympic and Paralympic Games is a UN resolution adopted by consensus by 193 Member States at the 76and UN General Assembly. It must be respected and observed, not violated,” he said.
Boycott threats
The opening ceremony was launched by an animation from planet Earth to present the previous editions of the Games, under the eyes of Chinese President Xi Jinping and, finally, in the absence of athletes from Russia and Belarus.
The latter, whom the CIP had initially said they were unable to exclude, despite their role in the invasion of Ukraine, were finally forced to return home when Parsons reversed the decision, less than a day after announcing their participation under a neutral banner to the entire planet.
The President of the Paralympic Committee faced the discontent of several countries – including Canada – and threats of boycott.
The raised fist
But the Ukrainians were there. Led by flag bearer Maksym Yarovyi, they entered the stadium with their fists raised to somewhat louder applause from the public and enthusiastic support from the president of the IPC.
“Our presence at the Paralympics is not insignificant. It is a symbol that Ukraine was, is and will remain a country,” said Valeriy Sushkevych, President of the Ukrainian Paralympic Committee.
The presence of the 20 Ukrainian athletes in China is also “a miracle”, added Sushkevych. They left bombed-out Ukraine four days before arriving in Beijing on Wednesday. It was by coach that they crossed Europe to take part in these Games, which will end on March 13.
“Many members of our team had to escape while there was shelling and shell explosions,” Sushkevych pointed out, to show their courage.
Some 40 countries
The Russians and Belarusians, who will not be able to appeal their exclusion described as shameful by the former, will therefore not be in Beijing for this first major sporting event held since the start of the armed invasion of Ukraine.
But 564 athletes from some forty sports will take part in these 13th Paralympic Games, including the 48 representatives of Canada. Curler Ina Forrest and hockey player Greg Westlake carried the maple leaf flag into the stadium.
–With the collaboration of Jessica Lapinski
Signatures for Peace
PROHIBITED MAZEPIN FROM SUPPORTING THE INVASION
If he wants to continue his Formula 1 career, Russian driver Nikita Mazepin will have to sign a document that prohibits him from supporting his country’s invasion of Ukraine, the BBC reported on Friday.
Nikita is the son of Dmitri Mazepin, owner of the Russian company Uralkali, which until recently was one of the main sponsors of the Haas team. The latter severed ties with Uralkali in the days following the Russian attacks and Mazepin’s future in F1 has since been in jeopardy.
If he continues his career in the premier category of motor racing, the 23-year-old driver will have to do so under a neutral flag. He will not be able to compete in the British Grand Prix, since the country has banned entry to Russian athletes.
Mazepin can, however, count on a little support among his opponents. Mexican Sergio Perez told GPblog on Friday that Russian athletes should not “pay for what their president has done”.
A RUSSIAN CYCLIST BECOMES FRENCH
The Russian cyclist Pavel Sivakov will now defend the colors of France during his competitions.
Sivakov, who was born in Italy and raised in France, told the BBC he had been thinking about switching allegiance for a while, but recent events in Ukraine hastened his decision.
“France is the country where I grew up. That’s where I got my education and that’s where I fell in love with cycling, which led me to race,” he said.
The International Cycling Union has banned the national teams of Russia and Belarus from its competitions. Riders from these countries can however take part in its events, but under a neutral flag.
BOXING IS NOT WAR, SAYS KLITSCHKO
Former world heavyweight boxing champion Vladimir Klitschko of Ukraine joined his country’s reserve army at the start of the war last week.
During an interview with FOX News, Klitschko – whose brother Vitali is the current mayor of Kyiv – let it be known that boxing and war had nothing in common. A journalist then asked him if the tension he saw now reminded him of the one he felt before entering the ring.
The Ukrainian is on the “black list” of Russian President Vladimir Putin, like his brother. He clarified that there are rules in sports, but very few in war.
YOUNG RUGBY PLAYER KILLED IN KYIV
Young Ukrainian rugby player Mykita Bobrov and his family died in attacks in Kyiv, the European Rugby Federation said on Friday. He was shot.
This death brings to four the number of athletes from Ukraine who have been killed since the fighting began. Soccer players Vitalii Sapylo and Dmytro Martynenko, as well as biathlete Yevhen Malyshev also lost their lives in the last days.
ONE HUNDRED SIGNATORIES FOR PEACE
A hundred athletes, including Quebec freestyle skier Alexandre Bilodeau and former CF Montreal player Didier Drogba, recently signed a platform in favor of peace, in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Under the aegis of the “Peace and Sport” association, these Olympic or world champions believe that “there is a world community of peace through sport which shares the same values”.
“This global community of peace through sport can and must play a useful role in the current crisis, by taking concrete initiatives. Without waiting. And relying in particular on the champions, exceptional opinion prescribers, ”they write in this forum broadcast by the association.
THE CROSS-COUNTRY SKI FINALS WILL NOT BE RESCHEDULED
The cross-country skiing World Cup finals, canceled because they were scheduled in Russia from March 18 to 20, will not be rescheduled elsewhere, the International Ski Federation (FIS) said on Friday.
“Despite great efforts and interest from several federations, no replacement venue for the World Cup finals has been found,” the FIS wrote in a statement.
The body had already announced last week that the finals would not take place in Tyumen, Russia, due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Russian and Belarusian athletes are also excluded from competitions organized by the FIS.
THE HEAD COACH OF A SOCCER TEAM TAKES UP ARMS
Ukrainian Yuriy Vernydub, head coach of Tiraspol, Moldova, left his team to defend his country against the Russian attack.
Just over a week ago, Vernydub led his side to Portugal for a Europa League game. The coach made history last autumn, leading Tiraspol to a 2-1 victory against mighty Real Madrid, in Spain to boot.
“My relatives tried to prevent me from going to fight. My wife, my children, my grandchildren. But I haven’t changed my mind. My wife supports me now. She knows me, she knows that when I make a decision, I’m stubborn,” he told the BBC.
Texts and research: Jessica Lapinski and AFP