Russia faces Paras drug ban

PARALYMPICS New Zealand CEO Fiona Allan says the demands on Paralympic athletes to return with medals is now as high as it is for the Olympics.

It was announced yesterday that the International Paralympics Committee had opened suspension proceedings against Russia to throw them out of the Rio Paralympics, which start on September 7.

The action has been taken following the publication of the McLaren Report, as well as further information given to the IPC that Russian Paralympic athletes were also involved in a state-sponsored doping programme.

Allan says the pressure has increased on athletes to pick up medals at Paralympics.

‘‘The Paralympics is becoming more commercial and therefore, expectations of athletes to succeed and win for their nation is becoming greater,’’ Allan said.

‘‘Commercial expectations and funders to support the Paralympics is growing as well.

‘‘Even in New Zealand, we have great expectations of our Paralympic athletes on the world stage. Governments are investing public money into achieving that, so we have a responsibility also to ensure that our athletes are competing to their best.’’

The London Paralympics in 2012 was where it truly became a mainstream event and countries are looking at Rio as an opportunity to increase their international profile by finishing well up the medal table.

‘‘There is more investment going into Paralympic sport now than there ever was,’’ Allan said.

‘‘London was a game-changer and we see here that the New Zealand public are expecting and wanting New Zealanders to succeed and every nation is expecting the same from their athletes as well.’’

Allan said she wasn’t surprised that Paralympic athletes have become involved in state-sponsored doping scandals.

‘‘You would have to consider that if doping was taking part in sport, that it could be in Paralympic sport as well,’’ she said.

‘‘Athletes are working within the same system within nations and working in some cases with the same international federations as well.’’

New Zealand will be sending 29 Paralympic Athletes to Rio. It is unknown whether there could be an opportunity to increase that number if Russia doesn’t go to the Games.

The IPC will make an announcement at the beginning of August whether it will suspend the National Paralympic Committee of Russia and, if they do, Russia will have 21 days to appeal the decision.