The president of the International Draft Federation (IDF), Vladimir Langin, said that the decision to return the flag and anthem to the Russians was taken against the backdrop of some resistance.
Currently, the legendary Patriot Park near Moscow hosts the World Russian Draft Championship, where players from Russia and Belarus compete in the tournament under their national flags.
“We have a very friendly federation, but the decision to return the anthem and flag to the Russian and Belarusian athletes was not easy, it met with some resistance. I would like to point out that we were one of the few federations that did not stop the participation of athletes from these countries, despite the pressure. This is the first tournament in which Russians and Belarusians play under their own flag, which gives the competition a special status.” — emphasized Langin.
The tournament will end on September 15. Athletes compete in games with classic, rapid and lightning time control. The prize fund is 5.5 million rubles.
The Russians have decided not to participate in the World Rowing Slalom Championships in Italy and Spain, the national team coach said. Maxim Obraztsov.
The stage in the Italian city of Ivrea will be held from 12 to 15 September, and in the Spanish city of La Seu, four days later.
“We decided not to go to these tournaments. There would be serious logistical problems to be solved and there could be problems with obtaining entry visas. In addition, we already had a bad experience with the application for the World Championships in July in Slovakia.” – Obraztsov stressed.
Previously, the authorities of the Slovak town of Liptovsky Mikulas did not allow Russians to compete in the junior and youth championships, despite the fact that the International Canoe Federation (ICF) allowed the rowers, and the Slovak federation advocated their participation:
“After all this, this season we decided not to waste energy on organizing trips to competitions abroad, because we had many competitions planned in Russia. We prepared with determination for the Friendship Games, which were to be held at the same time as the September stages of the World Cup. The Friendship Games were eventually postponed (unofficially for now), but we still have several small outings left on the calendar this season.”
Meanwhile, today, September 8, the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games end, where Russia’s Neutral Paralympians (NPA) won 64 medals (20 gold, 21 silver and 23 bronze). The Gold of the Games was awarded to:
andrew kalina (swimming, 100m breaststroke, SB8 class)
Alexander Yaremchuk (1500m race, T46)
Valeria Shabalina (200 m freestyle, S14; 200 m medley, SM14)
Alexey Churkin (club throw, F32)
Roman Zhdanov (150m medley, SM4; 50m backstroke, S4)
Dmitri Chernyaev (100m breaststroke, SB4)
Evgeniy Torsunov (long jump, T36)
Alejandro Kostin (1500m race, T13)
Daria Lukyanenko (200m individual medley, SM11; 100m breaststroke SB11; 100m freestyle, S11)
Andrei Vdovin (400m race, 200m race, T37)
Khetag Khinchagov (long jump, T38)
Vladimir Sviridov (shot put, F36)
Maria Pavlova (swimming, 100m breaststroke, SB7)
Ivan Revenko (javelin throw, F54)
Matvey Yakushev (swimming, 100m freestyle, S11).
In addition, 22-year-old swimmer Daria Lukyanenko won five medals at once at the 2024 Paralympic Games. Dasha won the S11 class in the 200m medley, 100m breaststroke and 100m freestyle (with a world record), and took two bronzes in the 400m freestyle and 100m backstroke.
The President of Russia congratulated all the champions with a welcome telegram Vladimir Putin.
And the head of the IPC Andres Parsons He said the 2024 Paralympic Games were held at the highest level:
“The Paris 2024 Games have set a new standard in terms of the level of organisation of the Paralympic Games. The competition was held at the highest level, the athletes showed excellent results. The atmosphere at the Paris Games was impressive. These Games will allow us to prepare for the 2028 Paralympic Games with renewed confidence. We do not hide our hopes for the development of our sports movement.”
Athlete Nikita Dubenchukwho came fourth in the shot put at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games in the F34 class, described his priorities as follows:
“My wife once asked me if all this blood, sweat, tears, sleepless nights and injuries were worth it. It was worth every moment. In the minds of most Russians, Paralympic sport is still physical education for the disabled. And our task is to eradicate this heresy from the minds of Russians. If by my example I can improve the life of at least one person, then my life has not been lived in vain. I hope that people will understand that, being disabled in Russia, you can develop and grow.”
And finally, a comment from the seven-time Paralympic champion andrew kalina (who was discussed by EADaily), on the invitation of the Russians to the closing ceremony of the Games in Paris:
“Of course I will take this opportunity. I have not been to any of the Paralympic openings, but I always go to the closing. It is good that we spend this holiday together with teams from other countries. I think this is the right decision.”
