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Beijing (AFP) – The Winter Paralympic Games opened Friday at the National Stadium in Beijing, with the participation of the participants and a storm of controversy over the exclusion of the Russian and Belarusian athletes due to the first invasion of Ukraine.
The period leading up to the start of the Games was marred by severe tension in the athletes’ village, threats to boycott and the organizers’ coup once morest a previous decision that allowed Russians and Belarusians to participate under a neutral flag.
The Russian invasion of Ukraine last week led to its exclusion from several sports tournaments, such as the 2022 FIFA World Cup, following a recommendation from the International Olympic Committee.
Chinese President Xi Jinping officially opened the games, paving the way for a display of fireworks that lit up the sky over the “Bird’s Nest” stadium.
The audio-visual show ended a dramatic week behind the scenes, following the International Olympic Committee urged sports federations to ban athletes from both countries.
Paralympic organizers announced Wednesday that the “heaviest penalty” that might be imposed would be to allow athletes from both countries to participate under a neutral flag.
But the decision changed upside down in less than 24 hours, following successive calls and threats from the participating teams and athletes, not to compete in the presence of the Russian and Belarusian athletes.
Organizers said the Russian presence “threatening the viability” of the Games and cited safety concerns and a volatile mood in the athletes’ village.
“Hello!”
In his speech at the opening ceremony, International Paralympic Committee President Andrew Parsons touched on the themes of peace and sporting excellence, “the 21st century is a time for dialogue and diplomacy, not war and hate,” adding that the Olympic Truce must be respected, not violated.
“Here in Beijing, Paralympic athletes from 46 different countries will compete with each other, not once morest each other.”
“Through sport, they will showcase the best of humanity and highlight the values that should underpin a peaceful and inclusive world,” he added.
He ended his speech with a resounding “Peace!” Before the opening of the 13th edition of the games scheduled until the 13th of this month.
After a dramatic trip to Beijing to escape his war-torn country, all eyes were on the Ukrainian team behind the country’s flag bearer Maxim Yarovyi.
The Ukrainian team received great support and solidarity. A senior official in the mission announced this week that their participation in the games was a “miracle”.
Beijing became the first city to host the Summer Olympics (2008) and then the Winter Olympics at the beginning of this year, in light of severe health measures to prevent the spread of the Corona virus.
The upcoming competitions begin Saturday, with the participation of more than 650 athletes in 78 competitions in 6 sports: ice hockey, snowboard, biathlon, cross-country skiing, alpine skiing and wheelchair curling.
China has regularly dominated medals at the Summer Paralympics. But her first medal at the Winter Paralympics waited until 2018, and she was a gold in wheelchair curling.
China hopes to achieve a big score with 96 athletes participating on their soil. They got a lot of encouragement when they entered the stadium, especially from the president.
Analysts believe that China’s hosting of the second Paralympics will continue to help improve integration and reduce stigma and discrimination for the 85 million Chinese with physical disabilities.
© 2022 AFP