Russia hit out at ‘monstrous’ Winter Paralympics ban as athletes leave Beijing

The Russian Paralympic Committee has hit out at the ‘monstrous’ and ‘disgraceful’ decision to ban their athletes from the 2022 Winter Paralympics.

The International Paralympic Committee initially said it would allow the athletes to compete as neutrals, but reversed its original decision following heavy criticism and the threat of boycotts.

The move comes amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, with more than 2,000 civilians believe to have died over the past eight days of conflict in eastern Europe.

But key figures in Russia have blasted the decision and claim it is a ‘blatant violation of athletes’ rights’ and could ‘lead to the degradation and collapse of the entire world of sports’.

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Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: ‘The situation is monstrous. This is a disgrace for the International Paralympic Committee.’

The Russian Paralympic Committee added: ‘We have carefully studied all the arguments according to which Russian athletes are deprived of the right to participate in the Games in Beijing.

‘None of them stand up to criticism – the decision is absolutely politicised, it contradicts all the postulates of the Paralympic movement and clearly, clearly, tells everyone: double standards, unfortunately, have become the norm for modern sports.

‘The current situation also makes it clear to everyone: strong rivals, which the Russian team has always been and will be, are not needed today.

‘The recommendations of the President of the International Olympic Committee, Thomas Bach, lead to the degradation and collapse of the entire world of sports.’

The Russian Paralympic Committee also confirmed its athletes were set to leave Beijing on the same day as