In September, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) made the decision that athletes from Russia and Belarus will be allowed to compete in the Paralympics in Milan and Cortina next year.
It is a dangerous door to open, says the European Commission in an open letter written together with sports ministers from 33 countries, including Sweden's Jakob Forssmed (KD).
"Allowing Russia and Belarus to participate in the Winter Paralympic Games contributes to normalizing Russia's aggressive war against Ukraine. Once again, we need, together with the governments of other countries, to protest against decisions to approve Russian and Belarusian participation in international competitions," Forssmed said in a statement.
Since Russia, with the support of Belarus, invaded Ukraine in February 2022, Russian and Belarusian athletes have been more or less shut out of the international sporting scene. During the 2022 Paralympics, they were completely banned, while at the Paralympics in Paris last year, participants were allowed to compete under a neutral flag.
The latest decision from the IPK means that both Russia and Belarus can participate under their respective national flags, although few, if any, athletes look set to qualify for the Games.
"It is unacceptable that sport is used as a tool to legitimize Russia's ongoing aggression. The Swedish sports movement voted against it and has acted clearly," says Jakob Forssmed.
