As follows from the Russian propaganda’s hysteria, the French authorities refused to issue visas to enter the country to participate in the Paralympic Games to two “athletes” from occupied Crimea, who declared themselves to be “citizens of Russia”. Among other things, Maria Zakharova called the suppression of this provocation by the French authorities as alleged “incredible cynicism”.
We are talking about swimmer Andrey Granichka, who, among other things, received from the occupiers in 2021 the “badge of distinction” “For services to Sevastopol” “for winning the XVI Paralympic Summer Games of 2020 in Tokyo”.
Also, tennis player Viktoria Safonova from Simferopol, who became a bronze medalist of the XIV Paralympic Summer Games of 2012 as part of the Ukrainian team, was not allowed to attend the Games in Paris. But in 2020, in Tokyo, Safonova already “represented the Russian team”.
Let us recall, that we have previously repeatedly pointed out the aggressor’s attempts to “push” Crimeans into participating in the Paralympic Games.
In this regard, our Association sent corresponding warnings prepared by Professor Borys Babin to international sports federations, as well as to the governments of interested countries.
