Germany’s Olympics and Paralympics The governing body expressed disappointment on Wednesday over the International Paralympic Committee’s (IPC) decision to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete in the Paralympics, calling it “a black page”. In a statement on Wednesday, the IPC said athletes from both countries would be allowed to compete in Beijing as “neutral” despite Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
“It is inconceivable not to exclude these two delegations”, said Friedhelm Julius Beucher, chairman of Germany’s Paralympic Committee.
The 75-year-old is upset that the IPC “did not have the strength to go beyond the rules to stand up for humanity”.
“Here he argued with a set of rules, whereas in Ukraine there are no rules for shooting and murder.
“This decision sends a completely wrong signal.
“What happened today was a dark page in the history of the IPC and this case cannot be forgotten,” he warned.
Thomas Weikert, the head of the German Olympic Sports Confederation, was equally disappointed.
He said, ‘The decision of the International Paralympic Committee is wrong.
Weikert said allowing Russians and Belarusians to compete as neutral athletes “undermines the intent and purpose of the (international) sanctions imposed on Russia”.
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Germany’s chef de mission Carl Quaid said the worst thing for him about the IPC’s decision was “the cheering in the Russian House next door. It was unbelievable.”
“It is inconceivable that the IPC makes a completely different decision to the vast majority of the sporting world,” he added, with several federations banning Russia’s teams and athletes from competing.
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