Russia Slams Germany Over Deaf Athletes' Exclusion from Hanover Games
(MENAFN) Russia on Monday condemned Germany for barring Russian athletes from the European Deaf Youth Games, set to take place in Hanover this August.
In a statement posted on Telegram, the Russian Embassy in Germany called on organizers to reverse the decision, arguing that athletes with disabilities should not bear the consequences of political disputes.
The embassy said the German Deaf Sports Association (DGSV), acting in consultation with the German government, had made the decision to exclude Russian athletes from the competition.
According to the embassy, the DGSV informed the European Deaf Sports Organisation (EDSO) that the move stemmed from what it described as a lack of public support within Germany for Russian participation.
The embassy pushed back against that reasoning, arguing the association had no authority to speak on behalf of the German public and pointing out that Russian junior athletes had recently competed at the European Aquatics Championships in Munich without incident.
Russia further contended that the exclusion breaches a March 17 resolution issued by the Executive Board of the International Committee of Sports for the Deaf (ICSD), which had granted Russian junior athletes full status — including use of the Russian flag and anthem — to compete in events organized by the ICSD and EDSO.
The embassy also argued that the ban runs counter to the principles enshrined in the Olympic Charter, which prohibits discrimination based on nationality, and called for Russian athletes to be granted the right to compete.
The DGSV had not immediately responded to the Russian allegations.
In a statement posted on Telegram, the Russian Embassy in Germany called on organizers to reverse the decision, arguing that athletes with disabilities should not bear the consequences of political disputes.
The embassy said the German Deaf Sports Association (DGSV), acting in consultation with the German government, had made the decision to exclude Russian athletes from the competition.
According to the embassy, the DGSV informed the European Deaf Sports Organisation (EDSO) that the move stemmed from what it described as a lack of public support within Germany for Russian participation.
The embassy pushed back against that reasoning, arguing the association had no authority to speak on behalf of the German public and pointing out that Russian junior athletes had recently competed at the European Aquatics Championships in Munich without incident.
Russia further contended that the exclusion breaches a March 17 resolution issued by the Executive Board of the International Committee of Sports for the Deaf (ICSD), which had granted Russian junior athletes full status — including use of the Russian flag and anthem — to compete in events organized by the ICSD and EDSO.
The embassy also argued that the ban runs counter to the principles enshrined in the Olympic Charter, which prohibits discrimination based on nationality, and called for Russian athletes to be granted the right to compete.
The DGSV had not immediately responded to the Russian allegations.
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