As far as Russian global athletics goes, this summer has been a washout.
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As with the Olympics, Paralympic officials say political gestures are not allowed in the sports event. The IPC concluded, however, that it was a political protest because of previous Belarusian complaints about the decision to ban Russian Federation from the Paralympics amid allegations of a widespread, government-sponsored doping scandal.
Neighbouring Belarus appeared to show solidarity with Russia, following through with a pledge to parade with the Russian flag as the XV Paralympics opened.
A total of 263 athletes are taking part in the event, competing in 18 sporting categories.
The Russian Foreign Ministry’s spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Fomochkin was a hero. “It’s just disguised as something civilised and is allegedly part of the law”.
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko hailed the gesture of the country’s national Paralympic team, who carried the national flag of Russia during the opening ceremony of the 2016 Summer Paralympics in Brazil, presidential spokeswoman Natalia Eismont told a Russian radio station on September 8.
The IPC’s decision to ban the entire Russian team “was proportionate in the circumstances”, according to the Cas panel, which said it would publish the full grounds for its decision later. The athlete not only expresses her approval of the decision of the Belarusian athletes, but also suggests awarding the Order of Friendship to Andrei Fomochkin.
At home in Belarus Mr Fomochkin’s actions were also praised as President Alexander Lukashenko said “We stand in solidarity with the Russian Paralympians”.
“It was a bold act”, said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.
“The [International Paralympics Committee] will be speaking to …” “If we need to answer for these gestures, then we will answer”.
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The IOC was widely criticised for ignoring the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) recommendation to ban Russian Federation.
