‘Disgusting’: Russian Paralympians accused of lowest act against Ukraine athletes

A gold medallist claims banned Russian athletes have been sending sickening messages towards Ukraine’s Paralympians.

A British gold-medal winner claims he has heard Russian athletes making threats towards Ukraine’s Paralympians this week.

Richard Whitehead has made shocking accusations Russian athletes — banned from competing at the 2022 Paralympics in China — have made “threats of bombing their families back home” towards Ukraine’s athletes ahead of the event beginning on Friday.

He said he has personally seen messages sent to Ukrainian athletes

It comes after Russian and Belarusian athletes were on Thursday banned from the Winter Paralympics over the war in Ukraine, with organisers bowing to international pressure and threats of a boycott.

AFP reports the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) had just a day earlier said athletes from the two countries would be allowed to compete as “neutrals” in the Games, which start on Friday.

It said that was the “harshest punishment” the IPC could dish out under its rules.

But organisers reversed that decision less than 24 hours later, meaning 83 athletes from Russia and Belarus, which hosted troops for Moscow’s attack, will now be packing their bags and heading home.

Whitehead appeared on British morning TV and said he has no sympathy for Russia’s athletes being sent home.

Yuliia Batenkova-Bauman of Ukraine competes during Biathlon training at the 2018 Paralympic Games. Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

“When we talk about the power of sport, it definitely gives you a platform for the greater good,” he told Good Morning Britain.

“But I’ve heard lots of messages of indoctrination within the Russian community and messages the Russian athletes are sending the Ukrainian athletes about bombing their homes.

“So, I feel to take the Russians and Belarus athletes straight out of the village and send them home is the right decision.”

When asked by a shocked TV host about the threats sent, he responded: “Yes, I’ve seen those,” he replied. “They include threats of bombing their families back at home and that’s just terrible.

“It’s disgusting behaviour and just shows the Russian and Belarus athletes don’t actually think there’s a war going on at home and how that affects not just the athletes but the Ukrainian community.

“We need to galvanise as athletes and promote that this war needs to stop - and that sport is just a small part of what we do.”

Countries including Britain, Ireland and Germany this week welcomed the ban on Russian athletes and said athletes could now focus on competition.

“Given the horror of what is happening in Ukraine, we believe (the IPC) have made the correct decision for these Games and is in line with the values of the Paralympic movement,” Team Great Britain said.

Meanwhile, Ukraine Paralympic Committee President Valeriy Sushkevych said his team — who arrived in Beijing Wednesday — had been overwhelmed by the solidarity shown by other nations.

He said many team members had difficulties escaping bombings on their journey out of Ukraine.

“This is a miracle that we managed to be here at the Paralympic Games,” he told reporters in Beijing.

“We came with a primary objective. We are here to defend our country with the whole sporting community,” he said.

— with AFP