After the strong reaction by ARISF/IOC and the recommendation of the FIDE Council and the reaction by the US Embassy in Kyiv (scroll down for the statement) not to restore the membership rights of Russian and Belarusian athletes, it is now the turn of the General Assembly to take a decision.
Three options stand in front of the General Assembly:
Variant 1 – To ask the FIDE Council to lift all restrictions imposed by the FIDE Council in its resolution as of 27.02.2022 and resolution as of 15.03.2022 with reference to Russia and Belarus
Variant 2 – To ask the FIDE Council to consider whether less severe restrictions that could be imposed with reference to Russia and Belarus, instead of those specified in the FIDE Council resolution as of 27.02.2022 and resolution as of 15.03.2022
Variant 3 – To ask the FIDE Council to hold the FIDE Council resolution as of 27.02.2022 and resolution as of 15.03.2022 unchanged
After seeing the strong opposition against the Russian/Kyrgyz resolution, many voices within the General Assembly are asking delegates to opt for Variant 2. Specifically, the “less severe” restrictions will aim to allow the participation of disabled players in competitions. The German Chess Federation takes a clear stance, “In our view, these proposals do not coincide with the attitude of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and also our attitude towards this war. Athletes from a country that leads a bloody war of aggression are not allowed to participate in international competitions with anthem and flag. Those athletes who support the war can be completely excluded – as the IOC has also done for the summer games and Paralympics in Paris.”
Jamie Kenmure, a passionate advocate for Players with Disabilities, issued a personal statement on the topic.
Statement by Jamie Kenmure regarding Para chess athletes
The participation of para athletes from Russia and Belarus for the sport of chess in international competitions is now becoming a significant topic in recent times. The International Paralympic Committee’s (IPC) on this issue is a complex one just like the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as it likes to foster the importance of sport rather than politics.
The IPC always supports the inclusivity and the right of all athletes to compete regardless of their nationality. The geopolitical situation at the moment for athletes from Russia and Belarus has prompted the IPC to reassess its policies. The decision to suspend participation of athletes from events shows the IPC’s commitment to maintaining the integrity of the Games and addressing the broader implications of international relations on sport. It is important to recognise that para athletes dedicate their lives to sport, in this case chess, to overcome significant personal and physical challenges. Athletes work tireless to achieve their dreams of competing on the world stage and their actions should not be overshadowed by the actions of their governments. The IPC’s view is a need for balance of accountability along with the promotion of peace with the imperative to uphold the rights of individual athletes.
Moving forward it is important for the IPC to engage dialogue with various groups including FIDE to find a path that can respect the Paralympic movement. This also includes exploring avenues for inclusion that don’t compromise the values for fairness and respect to all athletes.
The situation regarding para athletes from Russia and Belarus requires careful decisions. The IPC’s decisions must always reflect both principles of sport along with realities of geopolitical landscape ensuring voices and rights of all athletes are heard and respected.
In conclusion, FIDE must do the same and keep all athletes from Russia and Belarus not to play under their flag but only under the FIDE flag in all official events for Zonal, Continental and World.
https://www.paralympic.org/news/ipc-general-assembly-partially-suspends-npc-russia-and-npc-belarus
Regards,
Jamie Kenmure
Aug 21 Kyrgyzstan Chess Federation submits resolution to restore the full membership rights of RCF
Aug 22 David Llada talks about systematically to reward submission
Sept 1 Alexander Kamyshin is the new President of Ukrainian Chess Federation
Sept 7 Babur Tolbaev is among the candidates for FIDE Ethics Commission chairman
Sept 9 Russia most probably has the votes to pass the Kyrgyz resolution
Sept 9 Kamyshin: I will personally attend the FIDE General Assembly
Sept 12 Garry Kasparov supports Alexander Kamyshin
Sept 12 Malcolm Pein for BBC, “Russia’s control of FIDE is absolute”
Sept 16 Vasyl Ivanchuk and the Olympic teams of Ukraine protest against Kyrgyz motion
Sept 17 FIDE Congress – national federations at risk of losing government funding
Sept 18 FIDE Council rejects Russian / Kyrgyz proposal
Sept 19 Magnus Carlsen: I would have voted against the Russian/Kyrgyz proposal to lift sanctions on Russia
Sept 19 Kasparov: I would say the same on the Russian/Kyrgyz proposal
Sept 20 First reaction by Chess Federation of Russia
Sept 20 A dark horse in FIDE Ethics Commission elections
US Ambassador in Kyiv statement
Right after the Chess Federation of Russia and Filatov issued their position, the US Ambassador in Kyiv Bridget A. Brink spoke on the issue. “The United States opposes efforts to lift Russia’s suspension from FIDE. Russia’s suspension from this and other international competitions is a direct result of its brutal, ongoing full-scale invasion of Ukraine.”
