RPC STATEMEBT ON THE DECISION OF THE IPC GOVERNING BOARD TO EXCLUDE THE TEAM FROM 2022 PARALYMPIC GAMES
The Russian Paralympic Committee has carefully considered all the reasons according to which Russian athletes are denied the right to participate in the Beijing Games. Not even one of them stands up to criticism - the decision is absolutely politicized, it contradicts all postulates of the Paralympic movement and clearly, more than clearly shows: double standards, unfortunately, have become the norm for modern sport. The current situation also makes it clear to everyone: strong competitors, which the Russian team always was and always will be, is not needed today.
The recommendations of International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach lead to degradation and collapse of the entire world sport.
The RPC after receiving the IPC's decision to refuse the athlete entries from the RPC for Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games has engaged the leading Russian and foreign law firms to conduct a legal examination of the possibility of the RPC to apply to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) and obtain a positive decision in the course of the expedited proceedings. Unfortunately, this is prevented by Article 2.9 of the Paralympic Games Chapter of the IPC Handbook "Any athlete entry is subject to acceptance by the IPC, which may at its discretion, at any time, refuse any athlete entry, without indication of grounds", and the lack of an arbitration clause in the IPC Constitution allowing the RPC to apply to the CAS to resolve disputes.
The RPC Governing Board and the RPC Headquarters at the XIII Paralympic Games, comprising the Presidents of the Federations and Head Coaches of the Winter Paralympic sports, have decided to reserve the right to appeal to the appropriate international and national judicial bodies when the RPC deems it timely and appropriate. The RPC requests the assistance and support of the World Disability Union and Rehabilitation International.
The Russian Paralympic Committee and its athletes currently do not believe it is possible and appropriate to remain in Beijing and plan to leave the capital of the Winter Games, the city of beautiful people, in the near future.
The Russian National Team, the leadership of the Russian Paralympic Committee and the entire Russian Paralympic family would like to wholeheartedly thank everyone who supports them at this difficult time. And also we are very much thankful to the Beijing Organising Committee and volunteers of the Paralympic Games, who made our stay here as comfortable and positive as possible, even if it was only for a short period of time.
Our team was and remains committed to true Paralympic values, which aim to Enable Paralympic Athletes to Achieve Sporting Excellence and Inspire and Excite the World
The recommendations of International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach lead to degradation and collapse of the entire world sport.
The RPC after receiving the IPC's decision to refuse the athlete entries from the RPC for Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games has engaged the leading Russian and foreign law firms to conduct a legal examination of the possibility of the RPC to apply to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) and obtain a positive decision in the course of the expedited proceedings. Unfortunately, this is prevented by Article 2.9 of the Paralympic Games Chapter of the IPC Handbook "Any athlete entry is subject to acceptance by the IPC, which may at its discretion, at any time, refuse any athlete entry, without indication of grounds", and the lack of an arbitration clause in the IPC Constitution allowing the RPC to apply to the CAS to resolve disputes.
The RPC Governing Board and the RPC Headquarters at the XIII Paralympic Games, comprising the Presidents of the Federations and Head Coaches of the Winter Paralympic sports, have decided to reserve the right to appeal to the appropriate international and national judicial bodies when the RPC deems it timely and appropriate. The RPC requests the assistance and support of the World Disability Union and Rehabilitation International.
The Russian Paralympic Committee and its athletes currently do not believe it is possible and appropriate to remain in Beijing and plan to leave the capital of the Winter Games, the city of beautiful people, in the near future.
The Russian National Team, the leadership of the Russian Paralympic Committee and the entire Russian Paralympic family would like to wholeheartedly thank everyone who supports them at this difficult time. And also we are very much thankful to the Beijing Organising Committee and volunteers of the Paralympic Games, who made our stay here as comfortable and positive as possible, even if it was only for a short period of time.
Our team was and remains committed to true Paralympic values, which aim to Enable Paralympic Athletes to Achieve Sporting Excellence and Inspire and Excite the World