In a joint statement by the two presidents, Thomas Weikert (DOSB) and Friedhelm Julius Beucher (DBS), they called on Russia to “cease military action.” At the same time, the two recommend their member organizations to “suspend participation in competitions and training measures in Russia and the war zones”.
Eight years after the invasion of Crimea, once again, just after the end of the Olympic Games and just before the start of the Paralympic Games, there will be another attack on arms and the Olympic truce will be broken, the statement said.
The Winter Games in Beijing ended last Sunday. Russian President Vladimir Putin was among the guests at the opening ceremony. The Paralympics begin on March 4 in the Chinese capital.
DBS boss Beucher considers penalties for Russia to be “imperative”
DBS President Beucher has also called for penalties for the Russian team at the Paralympics. “I think it is imperative that Russia must be sanctioned for its actions with the penalties provided for such cases,” he told sid. He will seek talks with the President of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), Andrew Parsons, on the joint flight to Beijing on Friday (25 February 2022). The attack by Russia put “a sad spotlight on these Paralympic Games”.
German Football League: “War incompatible with values of sport”
The German Football League also condemned the Russian attack on Ukraine “in the strongest possible terms”. “War is unacceptable in any form – and incompatible with our values of sport,” said the DFL via Twitter. “Our concern is for the affected people on site.” The DFL is in contact with the national and international associations on this matter, it said.
Source: dpa