Ukraine insists on extending sanctions against Russians and Belarusians in Paralympic sports
Minister of Youth and Sports of Ukraine Matviy Bidny, President of the National Committee of Sports for the Disabled Valery Sushkevich and Head of the Chess Federation of Ukraine Oleksandr Kamyshin addressed the official by letter to the president of the International Paralympic Committee, Andrew Parsons, urging to maintain the current restrictions for Russian and Belarusian athletes, in particular chess players with disabilities.
The letter emphasizes that during the General Assembly of the International Chess Federation (FIDE), which took place on September 21-22, 2024, it was proposed to address the International Paralympic Committee with the question of the possible return of Russian and Belarusian athletes to international competitions. Ukrainian representatives strongly protested against this intention, stressing that Russia’s aggression, supported by Belarus, is the bloodiest war in Europe since World War II.
In their address, Ukrainian sports leaders recalled that since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Russia has killed more than 500 Ukrainian athletes and coaches, including 21 chess players, and two more are missing.
“The Russian and Belarusian sports community is an instrument of the state policy of these countries”, – stated in the letter.
Ukrainian officials call for maintaining sanctions against sports organizations and athletes from Russia and Belarus as long as the aggression against Ukraine continues.
They emphasize that Russian troops continue offensive actions in Ukraine with the support of Belarus, and therefore the existing restrictions should not only be preserved, but also strengthened.
The Ukrainian sports community expects the International Paralympic Committee to show solidarity and responsibility by continuing to support sanctions pressure on representatives of the aggressors.
