International Paralympic Games cancel Malaysian competition because of Israelis

The International Paralympic Committee decided Sunday to ban Malaysia from hosting an international swimming competition against Kuala Lumpur's decision not to issue visas to Israeli athletes.

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The Malaysian government has not kept its commitments to ensure the participation of athletes with special needs from all countries without any discrimination during the competition that was to be held in the city of Kuching from 29 July to August 4th. Tokyo Special Olympics qualifying for 2020.

"When a host country finds athletes from a particular country for political reasons, we have no choice but to seek another host country," said Andrew Parsons, president. of the committee. "All competitions are open to athletes of all nationalities.

Parsons said that the Malaysian Paralympic Committee had reached an agreement with the ICRC in September 2017, in which it pledged to ensure the participation of all athletes in competitions held on its territory, but the new authorities in the country have different ideas.

"Politics and sport will not be a good compromise, and we are disappointed that Israeli athletes are banned from competing in Malaysia," he said.

He added that the international Paralympic movement was and will continue to be motivated by integration and not by exclusion, stressing that the ICRC will adopt a similar decision in the event of such incidents at the time. future, regardless of the countries involved.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry hailed the decision of the International Committee of the Red Cross, saying it was "a victory for the values ​​of hatred and intolerance and a firm stance on the side of the freedom and equality ".

The Malaysian government announced earlier this month that it was refusing to review its decision regarding Israeli athletes, stressing that it would not be holding any activities involving Tel Aviv in the future.

Malaysia is the largest Muslim country in terms of the number of citizens in the world and one of the most prominent supporters of the Palestinian cause.

This took place at a time when the Israeli authorities are talking about the beginning of their rapprochement with the Arab and Islamic countries, especially after the participation of sports delegations in Hebrew competitions in several Arab countries, notably the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.

Source: RT