Ukraine sports minister slams Russia's Winter Paralympics entry as deeply outrageous'

"The flags of Russia and Belarus have no place at international sporting events that stand for fairness, integrity, and respect, said Matvii Bidnyi in response to the International Paralympic Committee's decision on Monday. These are the flags of regimes that have turned sport into a tool of war, lies, and contempt. In Russia, Paralympic sport has been made a pillar for those whom Putin sent to Ukraine to kill and who returned from Ukraine with injuries and disabilities, he added."

"Russia's flag and anthem has not been heard at an Olympics or Paralympics since Sochi in 2014 because of the state-sponsored doping scandal and the invasion of Ukraine. However, in September the IPC lifted its ban, before confirming on Monday that Russian and Belarusian athletes would be allowed to compete. Bidnyi urged the IPC to reconsider its decision before the Games begin on 6 March."

"Athletes and para-athletes in Russia glorify the war and receive state honours, he said. That is why Ukraine imposed sanctions on sports propagandists, the Paralympic Committee of Russia, and its president, Pavel Rozhkov. Giving them a platform means giving a voice to war propaganda. When the Russian flag is raised on the international stage, it becomes part of Russia's propaganda machine, he added. It sends a message to the world that the war is normal'. No, it is not normal."

Ukraine's sports minister condemned allowing six Russians and four Belarusians to compete under their national flags at the Winter Paralympics, calling the flags incompatible with fairness, integrity and respect. The flags represent regimes that have turned sport into a tool of war, lies and contempt, and Paralympic sport in Russia has been made a pillar for those sent to Ukraine who returned with injuries and disabilities. Russia's flag and anthem have been absent since Sochi 2014 after a state-sponsored doping scandal and the invasion. The IPC lifted its ban in September and confirmed invitations; Ukraine urged reconsideration and imposed sanctions on sports propagandists, the Russian Paralympic Committee and its president.

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