International Paralympic Committee (IPC) president Andrew Parsons delivered some 'angry' words as he addressed athletes at the opening ceremony to the 2022 Winter Paralympics in Beijing.
The build up to the Games has been dominated by the harrowing situation in Ukraine, with the country's death toll rising amid the Russian invasion that began on February 24.
As a result, numerous sporting organisations have opted to impose sanctions on Russian and Belarusian teams and athletes, and on Wednesday the IPC ruled that they would have to compete in China as neutrals, with neither nation to be included in the final medals table.
However, following vociferous criticism, the authority performed a u-turn 24 hours later, with Parsons announcing a blanket ban on any athletes from the two countries participating.
The Brazilian, who took up his current role in September 2017, cut a stern figure as he spoke at Friday's ceremony, and called on world authorities to instigate peace.
“I am horrified by what is taking place in the world right now,” he said. “The 21st century is a time for dialogue and diplomacy, not war and hate.
“The Olympic Truce was adopted at the UN General Assembly, it must be observed not broken. Athletes from 46 nations will compete with each other, not against each other. They will showcase the best of humanity.
“An opponent does not have to be an enemy. The Paralympic Movement calls on world authorities to promote peace, understanding and inclusion.”
The ceremony was shown live on Channel 4, with the commentator aptly describing Parsons, 45, as 'angry' as he spoke.
Following the powerful speech, the last of the eight torchbearers carried the Olympic flame to the cauldron, concluding the event as the Games were officially declared underway.
Poignantly, the Ukrainian team participated in the ceremony, as a 54-strong delegation managed to make it to Beijing despite the tragic scenes unfolding back home.
On Thursday, former Team GB summer Paralympic gold medalist Richard Whitehead made disturbing allegations against Russian athletes, having been informed they were goading their Ukrainian counterparts with messages making light of the conflict.
"I've heard lots of messages of indoctrination within the Russian community and messages that the Russian athletes are sending Ukraine athletes about bombing their homes," he told Good Morning Britain.
"And I feel that to take the Russians and Belarus athletes straight out of the village and send them home is the right decision."
