BM Blog 6

 



I do believe that the ban of Russia and Belarus from the last few Paralympic Games, including the current ones in Milano Cortina is fair and in alignment with the IPC values. The invasion of Ukraine was the major factor leading to this decision back in 2022. The IPC and IOC made this decision because Russia's Olympic Committee violated the Olympic Charter by invading Ukraine and attempting to occupy Ukraine's sports organizations and athletes in the process. I completely agree with this decision that the IPC made because Russia and Belarus broke the rules and regulations that the committees have in place to protect athletes and other competing countries. 

    
      
                                                Nikita Filippov, (Russia), AIN athlete winning silver

I believe that they should continue to remove Russia and Belarus from participating in future IOC and IPC events because the current circumstances seem fair now. Even though Russia is not allowed to be represented as a country at the games, approved athletes are permitted to compete as “Individual Neutral Athletes” or (AINs). This means that absolutely no Russian flags, anthems, or any representation of the country is permitted to be displayed by any athlete that falls under this category. In order for athletes from Russia and Belarus to compete as Individual Neutral Athletes, they must undergo a screening process by the IOC/IPC that ensures they have not supported the war and are not tied to the  Russian military. 


    
 

                                                      (Russia), AIN athlete, Figure Skating

Even though these qualifying athletes are not able to represent their country of origin, they still have the opportunity to earn individual medals for themselves. In my opinion, this is the best case scenario for athletes in this position. Unfortunately due to the government decisions to start a deadly war, these athletes were stripped of their opportunity to represent their country, but the IOC and IPC creating these special conditions gives athletes a chance to showcase their athletic talent and abilities for themselves and the world, just not their country. 

    
  

                       AIN tennis athletes wearing personalized uniforms, not highlighting Russia/ Belarus

I do not think that disabled sports should hold events in Russia or Belarus due to how detrimental the war has been on the disabled community. The war has caused devastating impacts to over 3 million people with disabilities living in Ukraine. People with disabilities in this warzone face extreme disproportionate obstacles, including access to evacuation services, shelters, and disruption to critical or life saving services. I also believe that athletes from Russia and Belarus should be able to compete for a country different from their origin due to the restrictions. The athletes are not the perpetrators of these war crimes, but unfortunately they are punished simply because of where they are from. I believe that if another country is willing to take in these athletes and allow them to represent a different country, that should be considered and accepted if both parties are willing to cooperate in this effort to support athletes in the way they deserve. 

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