MOSCOW (Sputnik) — All-Russian Society of Disabled People Head Mikhail Terentyev, All-Russian Society of the Deaf President Valeriy Ruhledev and European Blind Union First Vice-president Alexander Neumevakin have addressed IPC President Philip Craven in a joint letter, asking for an appropriate decision to be taken following the upcoming Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) hearing on Russia's appeal against the IPC suspension which would stop Russian disabled athletes from competing in the Paralympics.
"The balanced and fair riskless decision — to violate the rights of hundreds of clean paralympic athletes — can't be made until the end of investigation. Clean paralympic athletes shall not be responsible for the circumstances caused by a belated and uncompleted investigation — we shall not allow hundreds of athlete's rights to be violated because of someone's errors," the letter reads.
The IPC suspended Russia’s membership in early August citing country's alleged failure to comply with organization’s anti-doping rules. Russian Paralympic Committee (RPC) President Vladimir Lukin said in August that the body has "irrefutable evidence" of compliance with the global anti-doping responsibilities.
The Russian Paralympic Committee has appealed the decision through the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), with the appeal due to be heard on August 21.
