Latvia’s Minister of Education and Science, Dace Melbārde, has issued a strong condemnation of the International Paralympic Committee’s (IPC) decision to allow athletes from Russia and Belarus to compete under their national flags at the upcoming Paralympic Games in Milan-Cortina.
“At a time when values of responsibility, fairness, and solidarity are particularly important in the international sports community, the decision to allow athletes from aggressor states to compete under their national flags is categorically unacceptable,” Melbārde stated, urging IPC President Andrew Parsons to reconsider the decision and deny these athletes the opportunity.
The minister highlighted that the IPC’s decision will prevent Latvian para-alpine skier Mārtiņš Oliņš from participating in the Games. Melbārde asserted this is a clear injustice to Latvia and other nations that uphold international law and universally accepted human rights norms.
According to the minister, Latvia’s historical and current experience demonstrates that sports in Russia and Belarus are integral to state propaganda and “soft power” strategies. She also noted publicly available information indicating links between certain athletes and armed and security forces.
“Allowing Russia and Belarus to participate in the Paralympic Games undermines faith in the fundamental principles of the Olympic and Paralympic movements – responsibility, fairness, and fair play. The mission of the Olympic Games is to unite the world based on mutual respect and shared values. Decisions that fail to take the geopolitical situation into account erode trust in this mission and weaken the credibility of international sport,” Melbārde emphasized.
The Minister of Education and Science also announced her decision not to attend the Paralympic Games in Milan-Cortina as long as the decision allowing Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete under their national flags remains in effect.
