The Winter Paralympic Games in Beijing begin on Friday. Due to the aggression of Vadimir Putin’s troops against Ukraine, discussions continued on the exclusion of athletes representing Russia. . On Thursday, however, it was decided to change the decision and exclude them. During the opening ceremony, there was no shortage of opportunities to discuss the subject of the Russian invasion, although the regulations forbid political demonstrations.
– We thank China for hospitality. And for their fantastic facilities and infrastructure adapted to the needs of people with disabilities. (…) I want to start this evening with sending the room. We are heading for a better and stronger world. a world free from hatred and ignorance. Free from conflicts and armed confrontations. Paralympic athletes know well that the opponent is not the enemy, but the rival. Together we can achieve more, said Andrew Parsons, president of the International Paralympic Committee. And after a while he will add that he is “terrified of the Russian invasion”.
Parsons is speaking in the presence of Chinese President Xi Jinping. Mao it! As reported in the New York Times, part of his speech was not translated on Chinese TV for about minutes, beginning with the words “smoke for a better world. A world free from discrimination and hatred.” At that time, the television translation of the speech into sign language was also discontinued.
Poland is also fighting for medals
Poland will represent eleven competitors and four guides. In total, nearly 600 people representing 46 countries will appear in Beijing. The ceremony was attended by the Ukrainian team who entered the stadium at the beginning of the parade, represented by 12 men and eight women.
Source: Sport
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