Sawt Falasteen - Russian decision is a betrayal: Ukrainian Paralympics chief

Valeriy Sushkevych compared the decision to the one four years ago just after Russia invaded Ukraine when both they and ally Belarus were barred from competing in the Beijing Paralympics.

Sushkevych, who has been affected by the war with he and his family fleeing their home at one point because of incessant shelling, did not mince his words.

"The IPC, with its latest concrete decision, has given the possibility to raise this same flag, soaked in Ukrainian blood, on the territory of the 14th Winter Paralympic Games," he said in a phone interview on Tuesday.

The IPC decision to allow six Russians and four Belarusians to compete in the Games, which begin on March 6, has sparked a boycott of the event by Ukrainian officials as well as the EU Commissioner for Sport.

The Italian government voiced their disapproval of the decision as well.

Sushkevych said the Ukrainian team's motto at the 2022 Games "Peace for all", which had been displayed throughout the event, had not been reflected this time round by the IPC.

"I would like to stress that at that time the IPC leaders supported our fight against the war," he said.

"Today, the IPC has changed its position and failed to adhere to the values of humanity, democracy, and the philosophy of the international Paralympic movement, precisely in accordance with the slogan "Peace for all".

"But we will continue to fight in order to unite nations in the struggle against war."

Despite the worries about the safety of their families back home the Ukraine team performed superbly at the Beijing Games, finishing second in the medals table behind the hosts.

Sushkevych, who is celebrating his 30th year at the helm of the Paralympic Committee, said the team at these Games would be competing under vastly different circumstances.

"As of today, the team is in a very difficult situation compared to Beijing," said the 71-year-old, who is wheelchair bound.

"At that time, the team was preparing for the Paralympics in peaceful conditions, and we had more opportunities and significantly better funding, which has now been reduced by more than half.

"However, all this does not mean that the desire to win inside each of us has diminished."

- 'Constant shelling' -

Sushkevych, a former deputy in the Ukrainian Parliament, said for many it was a miracle Ukraine had been able to assemble a team -- 36 athletes, 22 coaches and others such as medical staff will be in Italy -- to compete.

"My colleagues in the Paralympic movement -- many countries -- were concerned that Ukraine might not be present in Paris (2024 Summer Paralympics) or Milan," he said.

"We are here! and we remain a powerful part of the international Paralympic movement, and this in itself is our victory -- the victory of the Ukrainian people!"

Sushkevych said sporting success does wonders for morale in Ukraine, especially disabled veterans.

"Today's victories of Ukrainian Paralympians are stories that are especially important for our people affected by the war," he said.

"Especially for soldiers who have lost their sight, lost their arms or legs, and are forced to use wheelchairs.

"These stories of our Paralympians give them an example and the opportunity to return to life."

Sushkevych, who claims more than 800 sports people have been killed during the war a significantly higher number than Sports Minister Matviy Bidny told AFP earlier this month, said it was unimaginable the circumstances the team had prepared under.

"For four years, under bombs and constant shelling, they continued to train, risking their own lives, and understanding that the lives of their mothers, sisters, husbands, and children were also at risk," he said.

Sushkevych, though, holds out hope there will be a fight back against Russia and their reintegration.

"It is necessary to stop Russia's political aggression, which is carrying out the occupation of Paralympic sport," he said.

"Including through the integration of Russian killers as Paralympic subjects with disabilities into the wider Paralympic family.

"I believe that the international Paralympic movement will realise this."

G.AbuOdeh--SF-PST