Spot on, @Tsahkna. It is truly appalling.
While Russian missiles and drones once again target Ukrainian cities, killing parents and their children, Russia’s participation in the Paralympic Games is immoral.
Sport must never become a platform to normalize aggression or whitewash war crimes.
Russia has once again launched a massive strike against Ukraine with missiles and drones, targeting ordinary homes, people, and lives. In Kharkiv, a rescue operation is ongoing — an entire section of a multistory apartment building has been destroyed. It is already known that people have been killed and many injured. My condolences to the families and loved ones. Strength and steadfast faith to everyone affected by this appalling and inhuman Russian attack.
If you're a Ukrainian athlete who honours fallen comrades you are disqualified from the Winter Games.
If you're a Russian athlete who contributes to Russia's genocidal war on Ukraine you are welcomed by the IOC as a "neutral."
Vladyslav Heraskevych disqualified.
Not even allowed to start.
But he has already won.
The world saw the names of Ukrainian athletes killed by Russia. And the hypocrisy of those who claim to stand for peace.
You can ban us from the track.
You cannot silence Ukraine.