International Paralympic Committee

Estonia Refuses to Broadcast Paralympics With Russian Athletes, Citing War Crimes

It’s certainly heartening to see nations like Estonia taking a strong stance against what feels like a deeply troubling decision by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC). The core principle underpinning the Olympic and Paralympic movements, the ancient Greek tradition of the Olympic Truce, calls for a cessation of hostilities, a time for peaceful competition, and a safe return home. This ideal, meant to transcend conflict, feels particularly hollow when a nation is actively engaged in warfare.

Russia’s history of actions, particularly concerning the Olympic and Paralympic Games, paints a stark picture. There’s been a pattern of aggression coinciding with these international events: invading Georgia during the 2008 Beijing Olympics, annexing Crimea shortly after hosting the 2014 Sochi Games, and then launching a full-scale invasion of Ukraine just days before the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.… Continue reading