RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) – The Paralympic Games already has its first political protest, right at the beginning with the opening ceremony.
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Paralympians competing in Rio will inspire and excite the world as the Games get under way, those who gathered to watch the spectacular opening ceremony have been told.
The International Paralympic Committee banned Russian Federation from the games because of the country’s part in a state-sponsored doping system, and identified the flag-carrier as Andrei Fomachkin.
Belarus team carried Russia’s flag as the russian team was banned from the competition in Rio de Janeiro.
The head of the Belarusian Paralympic Committee, Oleg Shepel, later said this was done in “a gesture of solidarity” with the Russian team barred from the Games over the unconfirmed anti-doping rule violations, the Belta news agency reported.
The state court in Bonn, where the International Paralympic Committee is based, on Tuesday rejected the athletes’ bid for an injunction forcing the IPC to allow them to compete.
All 267 Russian Paralympic athletes who meant to compete in Rio have been suspended, including hundreds who personally contacted the IPC requesting exemption.
The Belarusian foreign ministry said it was aware that there could be consequences for the stunt.
“And we certainly treasure this gesture of solidarity with our Paralympians, who were unjustly stripped of a chance to take part in the Paralympics”.
“If we have to bear responsibility for this, we will”, Belarusian foreign ministry spokesman Dmitry Mironchik said.
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The Maracana stadium’s crowd cheered for the majority of the two-hour ceremonial event, with the most cheers of the night going to the presentation of the Brazilian team.
