StefanMUC Posted March 2, 2014 Report Share Posted March 2, 2014 No. War in Afghanistan was underway and unauthorized by the UN Security Council by 2002 ... That is a matter of debate: UN resolution 1368 could be (and was) interpreted as giving the US the right to invade Afghanistan. You bet there won't be any resolution that can be interpreted as Russia having the right to invade Ukraine. Not in a million years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Victor Mata Posted March 2, 2014 Report Share Posted March 2, 2014 If Russia wants to bend international law to their favor - as the US did in late 2001 - they will find any breaches they need. This is what warmongering nation leaders are used to do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brekkie Boy Posted March 2, 2014 Report Share Posted March 2, 2014 The Olympics and Paralympics are about the sport and the athletes, not about the politics, so in that regard they should not be boycotted by the athletes and no National Olympic/Paralympic committee should be put under pressure from their government to do so. I understand politicians (who probably weren't going in the first place) boycotting - though rather than boycotting it would be better for them to use their visit to the region and see if they can make a difference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMarkSnow2012 Posted March 2, 2014 Report Share Posted March 2, 2014 The Olympics and Paralympics are about the sport and the athletes, not about the politics, so in that regard they should not be boycotted by the athletes and no National Olympic/Paralympic committee should be put under pressure from their government to do so. I suppose they could go the 1980 route of competing under the Paralympic Flag though (it also would make a nice rainbow-coloured mix of different uniforms in the same team at the OC) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheOtherRob Posted March 2, 2014 Report Share Posted March 2, 2014 Prince Edward, patron of British Paralympic Association, & all ministers cancel trips to Sochi on government advice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olympian2004 Posted March 2, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 2, 2014 So far, no imminent signs of a boycott by any of the Paralympic teams, but some of them are apparently monitoring the situation. It's also interesting what the IPC says about the Olympic Truce: None of the 44 countries taking part in the 11th Winter Paralympics, which open on Friday, have yet hinted at withdrawal, but a number are monitoring the situation. The Russian venue, which has just finished hosting the Olympics, is less than 300 miles from Simferopol, Crimea's administrative capital, although there are no immediate security fears for the 700 participating athletes. However, should the situation escalate significantly in the next few days some Paralympic associations could come under political pressure to reconsider. A British Paralympic Association said there had as yet been no change of plan for its 15 athletes. A spokeswoman said: "We are clearly monitoring the events in Ukraine and continue to be in close contact with the Foreign Office, who are leading on security matters." A spokeswoman for the US Olympic Committee, which deals with Paralympic matters, said: "Nothing has changed in our planning. We are looking forward to a great 2014 Paralympic Winter Games." In a statement on Saturday the International Paralympic Committee said it hoped to see Russia adhere to the Olympic truce, a tradition backed by a UN resolution that asks nations to cease hostilities during the Olympics and Paralympics. It said: "We want the story here to be the great festival of sport that has already taken place in Sochi and will continue now that athletes are arriving for the start of the Winter Paralympics." Source: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/mar/02/british-ministers-boycott-sochi-paralympics-russia-ukraine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
intoronto Posted March 3, 2014 Report Share Posted March 3, 2014 Canada which is among the countries which has taken the strongest steps against Russia, will not withdraw its athletes. I doubt any country does. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faster Posted March 3, 2014 Report Share Posted March 3, 2014 I like the idea of competing under the IPC flag. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TorchbearerSydney Posted March 3, 2014 Report Share Posted March 3, 2014 I like the idea of competing under the IPC flag. Agreed...... and a terrible situation..... best wishes to the people of Ukraine and Russia who have suffered so much war last century. I hope sense prevails. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trylon Posted March 3, 2014 Report Share Posted March 3, 2014 It's too late. What is taking place in Ukraine has been bubbling and boiling for two decades. A boycott of an event that is of secondary importance to Putin and Russia in general is of no value and only hurts the athletes who have hoped to be able to compete. The seeds of catastrophe for Ukraine were planted in the 1950's when Russia ceded the Crimea to Ukraine for administrative purposes and believing that the Soviet Union would exist forever. Forever lasted about forty years and when Ukraine split from Russia in 1991, the Crimea went with Ukraine. Once the summer retreat of the Tsars and the home to the Russian Black Sea fleet, Russia's decision to give away that peninsula was one of the great administrative errors of the 20th Century. No boycott will cause Russia to walk away from its hammerlock claims on the Crimea and it leaves Ukraine as a divided and weak nation or it sparks a major war. What Olympic supporters should do is demand that the IOC never again give the games to any nation with such a miserable record on issues of human rights or the rights of neighboring nation states. The mess in Ukraine did not happen in a vacuum. As Putin was glad handing his way through the Olympic venues and sitting stone faced during the various events and ceremonies, he was plotting his response to Ukraine's political meltdown. Putin got to show off to the world and less than a week after the torch goes out, he is invading an independent nation. What about this is surprising? And why does the IOC (continued....sorry) And why does the IOC allow the games to be hosted by any nation with such a bitter and recently violent history with its neighbors? No nation is perfect, but almost anyone with a basic understanding of Russian history and an awareness of the awesome political power of Putin pretty much could have seen this mess coming. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord David Posted March 3, 2014 Report Share Posted March 3, 2014 There won't be any boycott to what's already considered a lesser event. I expect Ukraine to compete like the others and attempt their best to make a top 3 finish and snatch as many medals as they could from what the Russians themselves could win. If war does break out prior to Opening Ceremonies, or during the event, I can expect Ukrainian athletes competing, then withdrawing immediately after their events for security reasons. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMarkSnow2012 Posted March 3, 2014 Report Share Posted March 3, 2014 Canada which is among the countries which has taken the strongest steps against Russia, will not withdraw its athletes. I doubt any country does. The profile of the Paralympics is not high enough for boycotts to have any great impact- the relevant nations would simply ignore the Paras even more than normal. However, having the majority of nations competing in Sochi under the Paralympic Flag (but individually identifiable by their national broadcasters, of course) would draw attention to the event. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord David Posted March 3, 2014 Report Share Posted March 3, 2014 It's too late. What is taking place in Ukraine has been bubbling and boiling for two decades. A boycott of an event that is of secondary importance to Putin and Russia in general is of no value and only hurts the athletes who have hoped to be able to compete. The seeds of catastrophe for Ukraine were planted in the 1950's when Russia ceded the Crimea to Ukraine for administrative purposes and believing that the Soviet Union would exist forever. Forever lasted about forty years and when Ukraine split from Russia in 1991, the Crimea went with Ukraine. Once the summer retreat of the Tsars and the home to the Russian Black Sea fleet, Russia's decision to give away that peninsula was one of the great administrative errors of the 20th Century. No boycott will cause Russia to walk away from its hammerlock claims on the Crimea and it leaves Ukraine as a divided and weak nation or it sparks a major war. What Olympic supporters should do is demand that the IOC never again give the games to any nation with such a miserable record on issues of human rights or the rights of neighboring nation states. The mess in Ukraine did not happen in a vacuum. As Putin was glad handing his way through the Olympic venues and sitting stone faced during the various events and ceremonies, he was plotting his response to Ukraine's political meltdown. Putin got to show off to the world and less than a week after the torch goes out, he is invading an independent nation. What about this is surprising? And why does the IOC (continued....sorry) And why does the IOC allow the games to be hosted by any nation with such a bitter and recently violent history with its neighbors? No nation is perfect, but almost anyone with a basic understanding of Russian history and an awareness of the awesome political power of Putin pretty much could have seen this mess coming. They gave it to Russia for obvious reasons. It was merely unfortunate that Putin had to be in power at the time and is now. If it were say Dimitry Medvedev in power, there wouldn't have been such corruption (naturally there would be the expected cost overruns). The anti-gay laws would not be in effect (though a majority of Russians would still be homophobic) and the tension with Ukraine wouldn't be as high (though of course it would still be there). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StefanMUC Posted March 3, 2014 Report Share Posted March 3, 2014 They gave it to Russia for obvious reasons. It was merely unfortunate that Putin had to be in power at the time and is now. If it were say Dimitry Medvedev in power, there wouldn't have been such corruption (naturally there would be the expected cost overruns). The anti-gay laws would not be in effect (though a majority of Russians would still be homophobic) and the tension with Ukraine wouldn't be as high (though of course it would still be there). Medvedev has always been a puppet on Putin's strings. Difference would have been protocol, but not real power and decision-making. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ikarus360 Posted March 3, 2014 Report Share Posted March 3, 2014 No. War in Afghanistan was underway and unauthorized by the UN Security Council by 2002 and Salt Lake Olympics and Paralympics happened peacefully. That was a different case. The country was being ruled by the Taliban (which also forbade sports in their country) which supported and helped to do the 9/11 attacks. Plus you know, there was a big sentiment of sympathy towards America back then, which died when the Iraq War started. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony E Loves Architecture Posted March 3, 2014 Report Share Posted March 3, 2014 I don't know how you can even put the Salt Lake City scandal in the same aspect as the Afghan war. Anyway, can anyone see the IPC making Ukraine compete under the IPC Flag? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trylon Posted March 3, 2014 Report Share Posted March 3, 2014 The USA has announced its team will not participate in the Sochi Paralympic games. Canada is likely to do the same. When I recall my previous comments about the success of the Sochi games and the expression of Russian pride, it astounds me to consider than just a week after those games closed, Russia has issued a threatening ultimatum to Ukraine over the issue of Crimea. I wanted to believe some sort of lasting peaceful legacy might come from these games. I was wrong. This dispute extends back hundreds of years and, as such, this battle was all rather predictable. Russia just needed the right time and opportunity. They had their place in the Olympic sun and told the world how peaceful and peace- loving they are. Then they threaten Ukraine. So much for the concept that the Olympic movement is designed to foster peace and understanding between people and nations. Russia has spit on that idea with their shameful actions in the past few days. I have no idea what the world can or will do, but I wonder if anyone at the IOC has even noticed this mess much less questioned themselves as to why Russia ever got the games in the first place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheOtherRob Posted March 3, 2014 Report Share Posted March 3, 2014 The USA has announced its team will not participate in the Sochi Paralympic games. Canada is likely to do the same. No it hasn't, it's said it will not be sending any politicians or representatives. Same as the UK. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul Posted March 3, 2014 Report Share Posted March 3, 2014 i'd cancel the games. let the ioc/ipc find and fund a replacement host. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olympian2004 Posted March 3, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 3, 2014 i'd cancel the games. let the ioc/ipc find and fund a replacement host. Within just four days??? Absolutely impossible. That would only be realistic if the Paralympics were still, let's say, three years away. And even then it would be quite a task, because you need accomodation for the athletes. Even Vancouver and Whistler couldn't offer that as most recent Paralympic hosts, I bet that their Olympic/Paralympic villages are used as apartment buildings now. Not to mention all the other logistics connected to such a large international multi-sports event. No, the Games will take place - the only question is whether it will really take place with the 44 countries which intended to participate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StefanMUC Posted March 3, 2014 Report Share Posted March 3, 2014 Within just four days??? Absolutely impossible. That would only be realistic if the Paralympics were still, let's say, three years away. And even then it would be quite a task, because you need accomodation for the athletes. Even Vancouver and Whistler couldn't offer that as most recent Paralympic hosts, I bet that their Olympic/Paralympic villages are used as apartment buildings now. Not to mention all the other logistics connected to such a large international multi-sports event. No, the Games will take place - the only question is whether it will really take place with the 44 countries which intended to participate. I guess Germany will certainly be there, with the DOSB and its "Nibelungentreue" to the big boss (even if he's the IOC boss, not the IPC one). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brekkie Boy Posted March 3, 2014 Report Share Posted March 3, 2014 I like the idea of competing under the IPC flag. Why? That seems a pretty stupid statement to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMarkSnow2012 Posted March 3, 2014 Report Share Posted March 3, 2014 Why? That seems a pretty stupid statement to me. Why does that seem a pretty stupid statement to you? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony E Loves Architecture Posted March 3, 2014 Report Share Posted March 3, 2014 Why does that seem a pretty stupid statement to you? Because he stated he liked the idea of competing under the Paralympic Flag, which is quite silly, when your at an Olympics/Paralympics or Tournament to represent yourself and your country, and not the organisers. Obviously, if you have to compete under the Olympic/Paralympic flag, then so be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir Rols Posted March 3, 2014 Report Share Posted March 3, 2014 So it was stupid when countries - including Great Britain and Australia, competed in the 1980 Summer Games under the Olympic flag? I think it's a great idea and an appropriate gesture for the Sochi paralympics personally. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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