Russia’s Paralympics chief says unfriendly countries could move to exclude Russia again

Coverage Comparison

Russian Paralympic Committee (RPC) President Pavel Rozhkov has voiced concerns that "unfriendly countries" could again move to impose sanctions on the committee, potentially reversing the progress made in recent years. Speaking at a Russia-hosted international forum on sports cooperation, Rozhkov underscored the importance of maintaining international ties, noting that representatives from 40 countries attended the event in Moscow. His remarks were reported by TASS, the Russian state news agency.

In a separate appearance at a health forum in Moscow, Rozhkov offered a cautiously optimistic assessment of Russia's international Paralympic participation. He said that international federations supervising team competitions have begun allowing Russian teams to compete in official events, though without the national flag or anthem. At the same time, he acknowledged that Russia's path to the 2028 Summer Paralympic Games in Los Angeles remains complicated due to qualification requirements across various sports.

Key Claims

Rozhkov stated that a decision announced in Seoul last year lifted sanctions against the RPC, but he warned that "there’s still a chance that these decisions could be reversed." He called for continued international cooperation, saying Russia has learned a diplomatic lesson over the past decade.

At the 2026 Winter Paralympic Games in Italy, six Russian Para athletes competed under the country's flag and anthem after receiving bipartite invitations. Russia ranked third in gold medal count at those Games, behind China (15 golds) and the United States (13 golds), a detail reported by TASS.

Rozhkov also noted that in sledge hockey, a team sport under the International Paralympic Committee, Russian athletes have been cleared to participate and have a chance to qualify. However, he cautioned that similar opportunities may not exist for some summer sports ahead of 2028.

Perspectives

International Integration: Rozhkov's statements reflect a cautious but active effort by Russia to re-enter international Para sport after sanctions. The emphasis on diplomacy and the attendance of 40 countries at the Moscow forum suggest a strategy of building alliances to counter potential exclusion.

Western Skepticism: While not directly disputed, Rozhkov's remarks implicitly acknowledge the risk that Western nations might again push for sanctions. His language — referencing "unfriendly countries" — points to ongoing geopolitical tensions in the sport's governance.

Administrative Hurdles: The complexity of qualifying for the 2028 Games, especially in team sports, highlights that even with formal clearance, significant logistical and regulatory challenges remain for Russian athletes.

This article is based on reporting by TASS. The status of Russia's participation in future competitions remains subject to international federation decisions.