Competing under national flag again should spur Russian para athletes on

Even as protests against allowing Russian and Belarusian athletes to participate under their own flag marked the ongoing Milano-Cortina Winter Paralympics, World Para Athletics chief Paul Fitzgerald backed the decision and insisted it was not unilateral or arbitrary.

With 26 entries, Russia will be the second largest contingent, behind host India, at the World Para Athletics Grand Prix here that was officially inaugurated on Tuesday. The three-day competition begins on Wednesday.

It will be only the second time Russian para track and field athletes will be participating under their own flag since 2014. The first was last month at the Dubai Grand Prix.

“The International Paralympic Committee held a democratic vote. All members got together and decided to allow Russia and Belarus to become full members of the International Paralympic Committee again, which means they can compete under their own flag. We’re in the business of opportunity,” Fitzgerald told The Hindu at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. The IPC decision came during its General Assembly in September last year.

“I’m not a politician, and I’m not responsible for what kind of conflicts are out there in the world. I’m in the business of ensuring that people have access to equipment, competitive competitions, and equal sport. And so I welcome their return because I think it’s important for all athletes with all disabilities to be able to show what’s possible,” he added.

While the athletes themselves did not turn up, a couple of Russian officials at the venue agreed performing under the national flag was a big motivation, especially after being forced to participate as neutral athletes for more than a decade.