The entire Russia team has been banned from competing in the Paralympic Games in September as punishment for the country’s systematic doping programme.
I wonder how 2 organisations/events so closely linked could arrive at diametrically opposed decisions? #Rio2016
— Jonathan Edwards (@JDE66) August 7, 2016
The International Paralympic Committee’s blanket ban on Russia is in sharp contrast to the earlier decision by the IOC to allow individual sports to decide whether Russians can compete in the Olympics.
People on social media have been reacting to the news, some thinking it sends a strong message and others thinking it seems unfair.
This comes as a bit of a shock. #Russia #banned #Paralympics https://t.co/LpCgNQaRmP
— Mark_Alden (@Mark_Alden) August 7, 2016
Paralympics doing the right thing in Russia. Had to be blanket ban. IOC should take note
— Thómásir Dáviðson (@ThomasAndStuff) August 7, 2016
Feel sorry for the athletes, but Russia's Paralympics ban is the right call. Shame the IOC didn't have the guts to make that decision.
— Robert Perry (Pez) (@pez_sez) August 7, 2016
Bit unfair banning all Russia athletes from Paralympics
— K – Tyrone (@ChillaxYhuBatty) August 7, 2016
Russia if you cheat you have too take your medicine but shame on ones that have spoilt chances for those that never cheated for paralympics
— andy jones (@andy2heart) August 7, 2016
Well done to the #IPC for having the courage to stand up for fairness and BANNING Russia from #Paralympics
— Roy Julian (@Dibber_Roy) August 7, 2016
@TheTruth24US banning of #Russia #Paralympics team is political and unfair. Anyone found doping should be banned for life. No blanket bans.
— John Daramy (@Munku1) August 7, 2016
The IPC has strongly condemned Russia’s years of doping deception – including the 2014 Paralympics in Sochi – that were exposed by World Anti-Doping Agency investigator Richard McLaren last month. He reported that Russia’s state-backed doping led to samples from Paralympic athletes being made to disappear.
Russia finished second in the medal standings at the 2012 London Paralympics and had 267 athlete slots for Rio in 18 sports.
