(ATR) International Paralympic Committee chief Philip Craven tells Around the Rings the Russian Paralympic Committee could regain its membership if it gets its act together quickly to change its culture of doping.
"The ball is very much in the court of the RPC who is fully aware of the criteria they have to meet in order to have its IPC membership suspension lifted," Craven tells ATR in an exclusive interview.
"Clearly the clock is ticking with regards to PyeongChang [2018] and I hope the RPC can make the necessary cultural and practical changes in order to meet the criteria in time."
The RPC lost its right to compete in the Paralympics ahead of the Rio 2016 Games due to the state-sponsored doping program uncovered by the WADA-backed investigation by Richard McLaren. While Russia has yet to admit fault for the doping conspiracy, Craven is optimistic the country can gain back the favor of international sport.
"The IPC Taskforce will help them every step of the way and when they are satisfied the criteria is met they will make a recommendation to the IPC Governing Board to lift the suspension," Craven says.
As Craven says, the clock is ticking with the PyeongChang 2018 Paralympics now less than one year away. He adds that all winter Paralympic sports have held test events in South Korea to prepare for the event and that feedback from athletes has been good. However, work remains for organizers of the Games.
"One area we are pressing the Organizing Committee on is engagement, and the need for PyeongChang 2018 to realize that next year’s Paralympic Winter Games are an excellent opportunity to connect the people of Korea with winter sports and Para-sports in particular," Craven tells ATR.
"In recent months we have seen a steady improvement in this area and I hope this continues between now and the Games."
Preparations for the PyeongChang 2018 Paralympics will be the last that Craven oversees as IPC president. Craven became the second IPC president in 2001 and is nearing the end of his fourth and final term. He tells ATR he has strengthened the movement in his 16 years as president.
"In terms of legacy, when I became president the IPC was seen as a disability organisation, and today we are a very well respected international sports organisation with a strong track record for staging major events that deliver high performance sport and also deliver social change through sport," Craven says.
"The IPC as an organisation is much bigger, growing from 10 to 100 full-time staff in 16 years, and now much more professional in leading the direction of the Paralympic Movement."
Nominations to replace Craven opened in March and the full list of IPC presidential candidates will be known in June.
Craven is also an IOC member until relinquishing his position as IPC president this September, meaning he will not have a vote in the upcoming selection of the host city for the 2024 Olympics and Paralympics. Los Angeles and Paris are the only remaining cities in the race and the IOC has established a working group to determine the feasibility of awarding both the 2024 and 2028 Games to the final contenders. While Craven does not have a vote, he says he sees why the IOC is considering the dual award.
"I can fully understand why the IOC is seriously considering the option as both L.A. and Paris have put forward excellent and really strong bids and it would be a shame for one of them to miss out," Craven says.
Written by Kevin Nutley
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