One of the athletes took the Russian flag during the parade of Nations. Photo: Bobo FA/PIXSELL/PA Images
Before going to the stadium wheelchair users force selected the Russian flag, which they planned to take with his
In spite of all prohibitions, the scandals and the removal of a team from competition – a Russian flag still appeared at the legendary stadium “Maracana” in Rio, where he opened the Paralympic Games.
In support of our team, the tricolor carried by Belarusian athletes. One of the athletes took the Russian flag during the parade of Nations.
Later it turned out that with the flag at the stadium was the Director of “Republican center of Olympic training in athletics” Andrew Fomochkin. In the past Fomochkin – master of sports of international class, winner of the Spartakiada of the peoples USSR in 1986 and champion of the Soviet Union at the winter all-around.
The Belarusian national team carried the Russian flag with stompato: REUTERS
What was the reaction of the international Paralympic Committee
The reaction of sports officials was not long in coming. The international Paralympic Committee (IPC) had warned that the removal of the Russian flag will be considered a “political protest”, which is incompatible with the “spirit Games”. On the morning after the opening of the Paralympics, the IPC announced that it is starting an investigation against delegatiilor.
And in the afternoon, the IPC stated that deprive of accreditation of the member of the Belarusian delegation, which carried the flag. This was announced by the Director of public relations of the organization Craig Spence.
IPC cancels the accreditation of a member of the Belarusian delegation, which carried the flag of Russia
What was the reaction in Belarus
To carry the Russian flag at the stadium was the idea of members of the delegation, saying in Minsk. President Alexander Localizadores this act athletes:
Press Secretary of the President of Belarus Natalia Eismont:
“The removal of the flag during the opening ceremony — an initiative of the Belarusian delegation. However, I want to emphasize that this is the position of the state and is including the position of President and the President of the Paralympic Committee <…> If they’re talking about doping, we are strongly against doping, but no facts on the Paralympic athletes who would dope and which banned from participating, has not been shown. This is our national position and the position of the President of our country” (“Moscow speaking”)
The press Secretary of the foreign Ministry of Belarus Dmitry Mironchik:
Not ready to comment on this situation from the point of view of international law. But this is the thing to do. Our athlete did serious, friendly and masculine. If such actions have consequences, some will respond”(Interfax)
The President of the Paralympic Committee of Belarus Oleg Shepel:
“This gesture by the members of the Belarusian delegation made in solidarity with the Russian Paralympic athletes, who were suspended from participation in competitions in Rio without proof of anti-doping rule violations and personal disqualification” (BelTA)
“If such actions have consequences, some will respond,” the foreign Ministry of Belarus, Photo by FA Bobo/PIXSELL/PA Images
What was the reaction in Russia
Hundreds of Russians have addressed words of gratitude to the Belarusian national team for this bold step. “Brothers, thank you for your support!” “Russia is aching for you!” “His act of the Belarusians showed that for them such qualities as justice, solidarity, and simple human decency is much more important than those notorious Olympic medals…” – write the users in social networks.
Gratitude was expressed by officials:
Press Secretary of the President of Russia Dmitry Peskov:
“Of course, it’s an act. What did the Belarusian Paralympic athletes is admirable. And, of course, we appreciate this expression of solidarity with our Paralympic athletes, who quite unfairly and unjustly been deprived of the opportunity to perform at Paralympics” (RIA Novosti)
The official representative of Russian foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova:
“Heroes can be different. For us today is the man who is in Rio for the opening of the Paralympic games has got the Russian flag in honor of those cowardly and inhuman not allowed to the Paralympics in Rio. We are proud that there are such people. This step is above politics” (RIA Novosti)
The official representative of Russian foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova thanked the Belarusian athletes
The President of the Russian Paralympic Committee (RCC) Vladimir Lukin:
“It’s great that the Belarusians remember about the closest country, Russia. We will never forget it and will continue to pay in the same coin” (TASS)
Vice-President of Paralympic Committee of Russia of Rome Batalov:
“In principle, we expected this from the Belarusian team. President of Paralympic Committee Oleg Shepel said that the Russian flag will be sure on the discovery that Russia is with us. But the fact that they gain the courage and will receive a flag that is just great. I would have given the Order of friendship, because not everyone will dare to do such a thing. They did not flinch and showed who is with us and who against us” (R-Sport)
AS IT WAS
Details of the scandal with the Russian flag: “Our wheelchairs tied up and took away the flags, but was a backup plan – and it worked”
The story with the scandalous removal of the Russian flag of the Belarusian delegation to the Paralympic games continues to acquire new details. On the evening of 8 October in the air of the state TV channels, the details of the story told the press-Secretary Lukashenko Natalia Eismont(details)
THERE IS AN OPINION
Bosses of the Paralympics drove themselves into a corner
Andrey VDOVIN
We rarely say “thank you”. This feature of the national character. Do not always know how, don’t always find the right moment, often just shy. But this is exactly the case when it is necessary to shake hands with those people who are a risk to themselves was not afraid to demonstrate us support. A friend is just in such moments. The national team of Belarus, as promised, at the opening of the Paralympics in Rio came out with the Russian flag. And these few minutes seem to have been the best thing that could happen with the 2016 Games over the past two months (details)
MEANWHILE
34 Russian athletes denied expedited consideration of the claim for admission for the Paralympic games
On Friday, September 2, come to the final point of the proceedings the Russian Paralympic athletes in the Sports arbitration court. Our athletes will recall, filed a collective lawsuit on behalf of 34 athletes will be allowed to participate in the Games in 2016 and was asked about the accelerated procedure of consideration of the case in order to get to the start of the Paralympics. However, it does not end there (more details)
Russian Paralympians will not be allowed at the winter Games 2018 in Pyeongchang-gun
Monday, August 29, the Paralympic Committee of Russia on its official website published an open letter, explaining the seriousness of the situation our athletes. The fact that after the rejection of the Russians to the Paralympics 2016 in Rio is threatened the participation of our athletes at the Winter Games in 2018, which will be held in Pyeongchang (details)
