Svyatoslavsky to Allowing Russian Paralympians to paicipate with their national symbols is a victory for democratic principles

Russian and Belarusian athletes are scheduled to participate in the 2026 Paralympic Games, which will be hosted by the Italian cities of Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo from the sixth to the 15th of next March.

The most prominent topics discussed with Yaroslav Svyatoslavsky, the bronze medalist in the Cycling World Cup under the umbrella of the International Federation in Belgium and the current champion in Russia, during his exclusive interview with RT, were as follows:

• Svyatoslavsky described the International Paralympic Committee’s decision to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to participate in the 2026 Games under their country’s flags as a restoration of justice and a victory for democratic principles.
• He stressed that this decision reflects the collective consensus of the global Paralympic community, and not an individual position.
• He stressed that the main message of the Paralympic Games is to overcome all forms of discrimination, and national discrimination is a barrier that the Paralympic movement must demolish.
• He criticized the transformation of sport in some European countries into a tool for political pressure and a platform for settling ideological scores, describing Italy’s proposal to refuse to grant entry visas to companions of Russian athletes an insult to Russia’s athletes.
• He pointed out that Ukraine’s refusal to use its flag in the opening ceremony of the 2026 Paralympics ultimately deprives its Paralympic athletes of the opportunity to enjoy the celebration under the banner of their national symbols.
• He praised the ability of international sports institutions to make independent decisions despite intense political campaigns, stressing that this represents evidence of the ability of sports to self-regulate and maintain its neutrality.
• He explained that the Paralympic Committee’s decision is completely consistent with the principles of the Olympic Charter, which stipulates the political neutrality of sports organizations and affirms that practicing sports is a human right that may not be restricted by any form of discrimination.
• He warned that using sport as a tool for political pressure not only harms target countries, but also weakens competition, reduces the attractiveness of tournaments, and destroys the values ​​of integrity that are at the core of the Olympic spirit.
• He reaffirmed that the moment of competition is governed only by skill and will, and that the Paralympic Committee’s decision reflects a growing global consensus on the need to keep sport away from political conflicts.
• He concluded by emphasizing that excluding athletes on the basis of their nationalities does not represent a defense of values, but in fact is a violation of them, stressing that sport has historically been a space for meeting and respect between different countries.

Source: RT

Read more