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Russian Para Athletes Fly to Moscow for Biometrics Ahead of Delhi GP

A Russian Paralympic official highlighted the logistical challenge of athletes having to travel to Moscow solely to provide biometrics for Indian visas ahead of the New Delhi Grand Prix. Andrey Sukhov stated that while travel to India was otherwise smooth, Russian para athletes now compete with full rights after past geopolitical and doping issues. The World Para Athletics acknowledged that global tensions and funding constraints sadly limit some athletes' ability to travel to competitions. The three-day event in Delhi has drawn participants from eight countries including India, Nepal, Serbia, and Egypt.

Key Points: Travel Hurdles for Russian Athletes at Delhi Para Athletics GP

  • Visa biometrics required travel to Moscow
  • Russian para athletes now have full competition rights
  • Geopolitics and funding impact athlete travel
  • Event features athletes from eight nations
2 min read

'Athletes had to fly to Moscow just for biometrics': Russian official on travel hurdles for New Delhi GP

Russian official details visa biometric challenges forcing athletes to fly to Moscow for the New Delhi World Para Athletics Grand Prix.

"They had to fly to Moscow to deliver their biometrics. - Andrey Sukhov"

New Delhi, March 12

Even as athletes from several nations gathered in the Indian capital for the World Para Athletics Grand Prix, travel logistics and administrative requirements remained one of the key challenges for international teams making their way to the competition. Andrey Sukhov, a team official with the Russian Paralympic Committee, said participating in major international competitions is a significant milestone for para athletes who spend years preparing for such opportunities.

"First of all, it means great recognition of their merits and great recognition of their hard work during many years of training and hard work," Sukhov told IANS on the sidelines of the event at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.

The Russian contingent is among the international teams competing at the three-day meet, which has brought together athletes from eight countries, including India, Nepal, Bhutan, Hong Kong, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Egypt.

Sukhov also noted that Russian para athletes now compete with full participation rights at the international level after earlier difficulties linked to geopolitical developments.

"We had a lot of problems and crises connected with doping and connected with the geopolitical situation, but now we are all co-opted. And now we have full right competition and full right participation at the international level," he said.

While the team did not encounter major obstacles travelling to India, Sukhov explained that some administrative requirements posed logistical challenges for athletes based far from the Russian capital.

"To India, thanks to God, we had no such great challenges because we had no problems with visas and probably just one challenge that we had because the Indian embassy wanted to make biometrics for all participants. And they live very far from Moscow, and they had to fly to Moscow to deliver their biometrics," he said.

The World Para Athletics has acknowledged that broader global circumstances have also affected participation in international events.

Earlier, Paul Fitzgerald said geopolitical tensions and funding constraints can limit athletes' ability to travel and compete.

"It's not my role to speak on global politics and conflict zones. And it's a shame because I know that there are plenty of athletes that would love to be able to travel and to come here. And this impacts funding sources. This impacts their ability to travel, which is incredibly sad because, again, we're in the business of opportunity," Fitzgerald told IANS.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
As someone who travels to India for work, I understand the visa challenges. But requiring athletes to fly to Moscow just for biometrics seems excessive. Couldn't the Indian embassy arrange a mobile unit or accept data from authorized centers across Russia? The spirit of the games is inclusion.
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Priya S
Heartwarming to see athletes from so many countries, including our neighbors Nepal and Bhutan! 🇮🇳 Sports should be beyond politics. These para-athletes inspire us all. Let's make it easier for them to come and shine on the global stage. Kudos to the organizers for hosting!
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Rohit P
Security protocols are important, but they must be balanced with practicality. An athlete from Siberia flying to Moscow for biometrics adds unnecessary cost and stress before a major competition. Our MEA and Sports Ministry should collaborate on special fast-track channels for such events.
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Vikram M
The article rightly points out funding constraints. We need more corporate sponsorships for para-sports in India and for hosting such events. It's not just about infrastructure, but also about smoothing the journey for international participants. This builds our soft power.
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Michael C
This is a common issue for many countries with large landmasses. The Indian system is robust, but perhaps for pre-cleared sporting delegations, exceptions can be made. The focus should be on the athletes' incredible dedication, not bureaucratic hurdles.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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