Impassioned Andrew Parsons veered firmly off the Paralympic piste and kicked off Beijing 2022 with a powerful political message – we want peace.
In one of the most overtly political speeches at a Games’ Opening Ceremony for decades, the International Paralympic Committee chief condemned war and ‘hate’ and assertively re-enforced his desire for a peaceful solution following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Parsons yesterday announced a shock 11 th -hour U-turn banning Russian and Belarusian athletes from competing at the Games after initially allowing them to feature under a neutral flag.
Paralympic bosses were stunned at the strength of athletes and members’ resistance and had genuine fears of a mass boycott had they not reversed their decision.
And speaking at Beijing’s Bird’s Nest last night, Parsons, 45, said: “Tonight, the Paralympic Movement calls on world authorities to come together, as athletes do, and promote peace, understanding and inclusion.
“As the leader of an organisation with inclusion at its core, where diversity is celebrated and differences embraced, I am horrified at what is taking place in the world right now.
“The 21st century is a time for dialogue and diplomacy, not war and hate.
“At the IPC we aspire to a better and more inclusive world, free from discrimination, free from hate, free from ignorance and free from conflict.
“The world must be a place for sharing, not for dividing.
“Change starts with sport. Not only can it bring harmony, but it can be a catalyst to transforming the lives of people, cities and countries.”
After delivering a rousing five-minute rally, the Brazilian concluded by yelling: “Peace!”
Elsewhere on an eventful opening evening in Beijing, Scottish duo Gregor Ewan and Meggan Dawson-Farrell revelled in strutting their stuff on the big Paralympic stage.
The wheelchair curling pair were announced as ParalympicsGB’s flag bearers on Friday morning and led out Britain’s 24-strong team at the iconic Bird’s Nest as the Games got underway.
Dundee veteran Ewan, 50, and former wheelchair racer Dawson-Farrell, from Tullibody, kick off their curling campaign on Saturday but were front and centre of an Opening Ceremony played out against a backdrop of war and controversy.
Ewan’s curling commitments prevented him attending the showpiece in Sochi and PyeongChang and he immersed himself in the experience ahead of Saturday’s showdowns with Norway and the USA.
Ewan, who bagged bronze in Russia before a seventh-place finish in PyeongChang, said: “This is my third Paralympics and because I’m usually playing the next morning, so I’ve not yet been to an Opening Ceremony.
“So, to be able to go to my first Opening Ceremony, and then to find out I’ll be carrying the flag – I’m absolutely buzzing.”
Dawson-Farrell, who represented Team Scotland at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, added: “It’s an incredible honour.
“It’s an amazing experience, and I couldn’t wait to find out how my parents react when they heard the news.”
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