Paralympics Ireland have supported an International Paralympic Committee [IPC] decision to exclude Russian and Belarusian athletes from competing at the 2022 Beijing Winter Paralympics.
On Wednesday, the IPC came under fierce criticism after announcing competitors from both nations would be permitted to take part, albeit under a neutral banner.
Andrew Parsons, IPC President, initially stated “What we have decided upon is the harshest possible punishment we can hand down within our constitution and the current IPC rules."
However, the decision was widely vilified, with Ukrainian athletes issuing a joint statement accusing Paralympic bosses of 'choosing bloodshed over principle'.
But the IPC performed a dramatic U-turn on Thursday as they confirmed that athletes from Russia and Belarus have now been banned from competing in the 2022 Beijing Winter Paralympics.
And Paralympics Ireland have thrown their support behind the IPC's decision as they sent their support to the people of Ukraine.
A statement on Thursday read: "Paralympics Ireland welcomes the decision of the International Paralympic Committee to exclude athletes representing National Paralympic Committee’s from Russia and Belarus from the Winter Paralympic Games.
"Excluding any athlete from Paralympic competition is an extremely difficult decision to take at any time. We commend the governing board of the International Paralympic Committee for listening to the athletes, NPC’s and stakeholders and reaching this decision today.
"We hope that the athletes competing at the Winter Paralympic Games have a safe and rewarding experience.
"Our thoughts remain with the people of Ukraine at this very difficult time."
On Thursday, Parsons revealed that the organisation had performed a U-turn.
He said the authority had now moved in "order to preserve the integrity of these Games," and apologised to the athletes affected.
“In taking our decision yesterday we were looking at the long-term health and survival of the Paralympic Movement. We are fiercely proud of the principles and values that have made the Movement what it is today.
“However, what is clear is that the rapidly escalating situation has now put us in a unique and impossible position so close to the start of the Games.
“Yesterday [Wednesday] we said we would continue to listen, and that is what we are doing."
Parsons said complaints from a number of of IPC member nations had prompted a rethink, amid the threat of "grave consequences" for the Games if Wednesday's decision was allowed to stand.
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