UAt 9:02 p.m. local time, Chinese President Xi Jinping spoke the traditional opening formula. But instead of being a sign of peace, the Paralympics start under the impression of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, and the sport has long been overshadowed. Andrew Parsons, the President of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), gave an emotional speech in which he also addressed the world situation – although without naming names.
“The 21st century is a time of peace and diplomacy, not of war and hatred,” said the Brazilian. The truce of the Olympics must be “respected and respected” and “not violated” during both the Olympic and Paralympic Games, Parsons continued: “Paralympic athletes know that an opponent does not have to be an enemy and that together we can achieve more.”
He ended his speech with a loud call for peace. Members of the German delegation took off their caps when entering the arena. This should be a pause and commemoration of the situation in Ukraine and the victims of the war.
The flag-bearer Maxim Warowji led the Ukrainian team to Beijing’s “Bird’s Nest”. Association President Valery Sushkevich said the participation of the 20 athletes and eight guides was “a miracle”. Many of the participants narrowly escaped the bombs when Russia invaded and, like millions of compatriots, feared for their lives.
“For us, being here is a matter of principle, it is a symbol that shows that Ukraine is alive,” Sushkevich said. The Russian Paralympic Committee meanwhile decided not to go before the International Court of Arbitration for Sports CAS after the exclusion of its and the Belarusian athletes on the day before the opening ceremony – there were no prospects of success.
