The Paralympic Games in Italy are unfolding amid a new international controversy. The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has allowed athletes from Russia and Belarus to compete despite the ongoing war Russia is waging against Ukraine. In response, several countries have announced a boycott of the opening ceremony.
In an Ukrinform interview, Ukraine’s Minister of Youth and Sports, Matvii Bidnyi, spoke about the political struggle surrounding international sport, the prospects for Ukraine’s national team, and the reform of the country’s sports system.
THE PARALYMPIC COMMITTEE FOUND A LOOPHOLE FOR RUSSIANS
Q: The International Paralympic Committee has allowed Russian and Belarusian athletes to participate in the Paralympics despite the war. Ukraine and several other countries have responded by boycotting the opening ceremony. How was such a decision possible?
A: The problem began several months ago, when the International Paralympic Committee decided to restore the rights of the Russian Paralympic Committee. Since then, we have been waging a political and media campaign against that decision.
What we are seeing now is a continuation of that trend. Russian athletes failed to qualify for the Paralympic Games through the regular selection process, so everyone assumed they would not be there. But the International Paralympic Committee found a loophole — the so-called “wild cards.”
Six of these were granted to Russian athletes and four to Belarusians. This special mechanism allows athletes to enter the Games without going through the full qualification process.
Q: Did the International Paralympic Committee explain the motives behind this decision?
A: No. And they are unlikely to do so. One must understand that the International Paralympic Committee, like the International Olympic Committee, is a non-governmental organization that emphasizes its autonomy from governments and politics.
So no one reports to Ukraine. All we can do is respond — and we are doing so actively.
FIFTEEN COUNTRIES ALREADY BOYCOTTING THE OPENING CEREMONY
Q: What has been the international reaction to this decision?
A: We are seeing a very strong response. At Ukraine’s initiative, a joint statement was signed by 33 countries and a European Commissioner opposing the return of the Russian flag to the Paralympic movement.
As of today, 15 countries are boycotting the opening ceremony of the Paralympic Games. They will not send official delegations and will not broadcast the ceremony on their television channels.
This is a political protest against a decision that many consider disgraceful.
FOUR YEARS AGO RUSSIANS WERE BANNED. WHAT HAS CHANGED NOW?
Q: In 2022, Russian and Belarusian athletes were barred from the Paralympics. What has changed since then?
A: We never stop asking our partners the same question: what has changed?
Four years ago, the entire world unanimously banned athletes from the terrorist state from participating in international competitions. Today the war continues, the terror is intensifying, and the international community is trying to maintain pressure on the aggressor.
Yet part of the sporting community is now choosing to weaken that pressure. In my view, this is an entirely irresponsible position.
REFUSING TO COMPETE IS A WEAK POSITION
Q: Should Ukraine take part in competitions if Russian athletes are present?
A: I am convinced that we should. Refusing to compete and staying at home “alone and proud,” while Russia spreads its narrative of the so-called “Russian world,” would be a weak position.
Our Paralympians are among the strongest in the world, and I am confident they will prove this more than once in competition.
UKRAINE IS TRANSITIONING TO A EUROPEAN MODEL OF SPORT
Q: You have spoken about the need to reform the sports system. What should this transformation look like?
A: We are talking about introducing the European model of sport — a system based on sports clubs.
The state’s main objective should not be limited to winning medals. It should also be about building a healthy society. When more people engage in sports, the number of talented athletes naturally increases as well.
MORE THAN 800 SPORTS FACILITIES DESTROYED BY THE WAR IN UKRAINE
Q: How has the war affected Ukrainian sport?
A: Very significantly. Russia has already destroyed more than 800 sports facilities in Ukraine.
Despite all the difficulties, Ukrainian athletes continue to compete in international events and represent our country.
And the very fact that they step onto the starting line under the Ukrainian flag during a full-scale war is already a major victory.
Khrystia Ravliuk led this conversation
Ukrinform photos