Samuda doubles down on inclusion of Russian, Belarusian para-athletes
Published:Thursday | October 30, 2025 | 12:07 AMGregory Bryce/Staff Reporter
CHRISTOPHER SAMUDA, president of the Jamaica Paralympic Association (JPA), has reiterated his calls for the global inclusion of Russian and Belarusian para-athletes after they were barred from the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games.
Last month, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) had voted to lift Russia’s and Belarus’ partial suspensions, and reinstated full membership rights and privileges to both nations.
Russia were suspended due to their invasion of Ukraine in 2022, with Belarus suspended as they acted as a staging ground for Russian forces.
Though the IPC has lifted their suspensions, the two nations have effectively been barred from competing in the 2026 Paralympic Winter Games due to decisions made by several international federations.
The International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS), International Biathlon Union (IBU), World Curling, and World Para Ice Hockey all confirmed that athletes from Russia and Belarus would not be able to qualify for the Paralympic Winter Games.
The FIS, IBU and Word Curling said they would be upholding their own suspensions of Russian and Belarusian para-athletes, with World Curling confirming they will lift their suspension at the end of the 2024-25 season.
The World Para Ice Hockey, however, said while both nations can compete, the six teams, who are set to take part in the qualifiers for the Winter Games have already been decided.
Samuda, in his comments on the situation, said while he respects the democratic choices made by the sporting federations, he believes athletes should not pay the penalty for the geo-political decisions of their countries.
“Whereas I respect the decision of international federations in exercising their right in a democratic construct, I will always maintain that athletes are not architects of war and should not, therefore, be casualties,” he said.
“They are not actors and actresses in the political theatre of egos and should not be sacrificial lambs.”
Samuda said the IPC had recognised this fact and had sought to separate the careers of para-athletes from being threatened by war and political tension.
He has called on the various federations to meet at the negotiating table with the IPC to ensure para-athletes are given the platform to showcase their talents and hard work.
“Geo-politics has been, and will always be, a factor in sport,” Samuda stated.
“The General Assembly of the International Paralympic Committee expressed the will to insulate the aspirations and livelihood of athletes, who have a shelf life, from political wars; but in a democracy there will be differing views which, regrettably, will frustrate that will.”
He continued, “The international federations control the reins of their respective sports, and so the IPC will have to strategically bring opposing parties to the table and negotiate consensus in the interest of the athletes.”
Similar to comments he had made last month, Samuda again reiterated the importance of sports’ governing bodies to not fall to political ambitions, but rather, work towards a future that allows for all athletes to compete on a level playing field.
“Global governing bodies in sport must, therefore, take the lead before the issue becomes intractable and irredeemable. They have no option but to get in the game and transform the game in educating those who have fallen prey to others who are playing political games.”