Russian Paralympians denied French visas – sports body

The two competitors have fulfilled all qualification requirements, according to the Russian Paralympic Committee

France has refused to grant visas to two Russian athletes for the Paris Paralympic Games, the Russian Paralympic Committee (RPC) reported on Wednesday, describing it as “another step towards the politicization of sport.”

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) said on Monday that 88 Russian competitors would participate in the games under a neutral flag. The Paralympics in Paris are taking place from August 28 to September 8.

According to a press release by the RPC, the French government has rejected the request of the IPC and the organizing committee to issue visas to the two Russian citizens.

“This is unacceptable for a country that hosts such major sports events as the Olympic and Paralympic Games,” the RPC stated. “It is particularly sad that this decision affects people with disabilities who strive for high sporting achievements.”

All Russian athletes have been “tested for neutrality and have fulfilled all qualification requirements to participate in the Paralympics,” according to RPC. “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 argued.

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The International Olympic Committee (IOC) initially banned Russian and Belarusian athletes following the start of the Ukraine conflict in February 2022. However, last year the body removed its blanket ban and allowed a limited number of athletes from the two countries to participate in the Paris Games, but only under a neutral flag and as individual competitors. The IOC also imposed many restrictions for qualifying. For instance, those who have publicly supported Moscow’s military operation in Ukraine or have been linked with Russian army sports clubs were banned from the Games.

Para-athletes from Russia and Belarus will also have to compete under a neutral flag. Those who qualified were required to go through a two-step verification process to be invited to the Games.

The athletes have been barred from participating in the Paralympics opening and closing ceremonies in Paris. Their medals wins will not be recorded on the Games medal table and should a neutral athlete win a gold medal, the Paralympic anthem will be played.

Moscow has repeatedly criticized the IOC’s restrictions on its athletes, with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov accusing the body in March of “destroying Olympic ideals.”