'Victory of values over hatred': Malaysia stripped of Para swimming worlds after Israeli athlete ban
The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has stripped Malaysia of the right to host the 2019 World Paralympic Swimming Championships, scheduled for July, after the country banned Israeli athletes from participating.
Muslim-majority Malaysia banned Israeli athletes from competing in the event, which is a qualifying event for next the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics, in solidarity with Palestine.
The country has now been deprived of their hosting rights for the event, scheduled for Kuching between July 29 and August 4, with the IPC announcing a new venue would be sought for the same dates.
Also on rt.com ‘Fighting on behalf of the oppressed’: Malaysia bans Israeli athletes in solidarity with Palestine“All World Championships must be open to all eligible athletes and nations to compete safely and free from discrimination,” said IPC president Andrew Parsons in a statement after a meeting of the IPC governing board in London, Reuters reported.
“When a host country excludes athletes from a particular nation, for political reasons, then we have absolutely no alternative but to look for a new Championships host.”
Israel had condemned the ban as "shameful", and said the decision was fueled by Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's "rabid anti-Semitism".
BREAKING NEWS: IPC strip Malaysia of 2019 World Para Swimming Championships. Full story-> https://t.co/bzCPb9QGLh#ParaSwimming
— Paralympic Games (@Paralympics) January 27, 2019
Malaysian Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah said on Wednesday that no Israeli competitor would be allowed to participate as the country considers the Palestinians "oppressed" by Israel.
“The cabinet has also decided that Malaysia will not host any more events involving Israel or its representatives. This is to me, a decision to reflect the government’s firm stance over the Israeli issue,” Abdullah said.
Following the Paralympic's decision, Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Emmanuel Nahshon commended the IPC, calling the move "a victory of values over hatred".
This is a victory of values over hatred and bigotry, a strong statement in favor of freedom and equality. Thank you @Paralympics for your brave decision !!! pic.twitter.com/Q3AM2DiUAy
— Emmanuel Nahshon (@EmmanuelNahshon) January 27, 2019
Nations wanting to host the event are asked to express their interest by February 11. Parsons in a statement that the decision was motivated by the organization's principles of "inclusion".
"The Paralympic Movement has, and always will be, motivated by a desire to drive inclusion, not exclusion," he said.
"Regardless of the countries involved in this matter, the IPC would take the same decision again if it was to face a similar situation involving different countries."
