“Incomprehensible” – DBS criticizes Russian athletes’ participation in the Paralympics

Bonn (SID) The German Disabled Sports Association (DBS) has criticized the decision of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) to allow selected Russian athletes to take part in the Paralympics in Pyeongchang as neutral athletes. "From our point of view, the IPC's decision is incomprehensible. It is a shame that the IPC has moved away from its consistent anti-doping policy," said DBS President Friedhelm Julius Beucher and Vice President Karl Quade in a statement on Monday. At the 2016 Summer Paralympics in Rio, the IPC, unlike the International Olympic Committee (IOC), excluded all Russian disabled athletes because of the state-controlled doping system. Now 30 to 35 Russian athletes are allowed to take part in the Games in South Korea (March 9-18) under the name “Neutral Paralympic Athletes (NPA)”. However, the Russian Paralympic Committee (RPC) remains suspended because it has still not met two key criteria, including the official recognition of the McLaren report, which attests that Russia has an institutionalized doping system. Alfons Hörmann, President of the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB), was pleased with the IPC's decision. At the DOSB New Year's reception on Monday, he said: "This time the IOC and the IPC have managed to act uniformly - that is a great asset." However, Beucher and Quade could not share this joy. "Unfortunately, the IPC has now bowed to some pressure. In our view, the start of athletes from Russia after the fall from grace in Sochi is a slap in the face to clean athletes and manipulation-free sports structures," they wrote. However, IPC President Andrew Parsons defended the decision as a “necessary measure”. "I understand your opinion, but I don't share it," the Brazilian replied to the DBS's criticism: "We are not lifting the suspension, we are not allowing Russian flags. But we are convinced that everyone who takes part as a neutral athlete , is just as clean as any other athlete."

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“Incomprehensible” – DBS criticizes Russian athletes’ participation in the Paralympics

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