(ATR) The International Paralympic Committee (IPC)has introduced a first for the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.
Refugees Ibrahim Al Hussein of Syria and Shahrad Nasajpour of Iran will compete as part of the Independent Paralympic Athletes (IPA) team, being the first time in Paralympic history that a dedicated team of its kind will compete.
Al Hussein will be participating in the men’s 50m and 100m freestyle S10 as a leg amputee.
Having waited for this moment for 22 years, Hussein said "I want to send a message to all those injured that they too can achieve their dreams'.
Nasajpour will compete in the men’s F37 discus event.
The pair has official refugee or asylum status but the IPC are
assisting the athletes with classification and anti-doping education along with sponsors including Visa, who plan to provide support, and Ottobock offering prosthetics and other rehabilitation products.
Chef de Mission Tony Sainsbury says "These athletes will help to raise awareness of the plight of thousands of refugees and asylum seekers who make difficult decisions and journeys, often with impairments. They will help to drive social inclusion and spread the Paralympic values of courage, determination, inspiration and equality around the world."
Not everyone agrees with some measures the IPC has taken.
The International Paralympic Committee recently made the decision to suspend all Russian Paralympians from the Rio Games on Sep. 7 due to state-sponsored doping.
Russian president Vladimir Putindescribes the IPC’s decision as cynical and inhumane and calls it "outside the bounds of law, morality and humanity".
As he did for the Olympic Games with Stars 2016, Putin announced at an awards ceremony for Russian Olympians he would hold special competitions for banned Paralympic Athletes.
The Rio Paralympic Games will begin on Sep. 7 and conclude on Sep. 18.
Written by Courtney Colquitt
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