Sanaa: Russia on Monday criticized Germany over the exclusion of Russian athletes from the European Deaf Youth Games, scheduled to be held in Hanover in August. In a statement on Telegram, the Russian Embassy in Germany urged organizers to reverse the decision, arguing that athletes with disabilities should not be affected by political disputes.

According to Anadolu Agency, the German Deaf Sports Association (DGSV), in consultation with the German government, had decided to bar Russian athletes from participating in the event. The embassy said the DGSV communicated to the European Deaf Sports Organisation (EDSO) that the decision reflected what it claimed was a lack of public support in Germany for Russia's participation.

The embassy rejected this justification, arguing that the association could not claim to represent the sentiment of the German public. It noted that Russian junior athletes had recently participated in the European Aquatics Championships in Munich without incident.

Russia further argued that the decision violated a March 17 resolution by the Executive Board of the International Committee of Sports for the Deaf (ICSD), which permitted Russian junior athletes to participate in competitions organized by ICSD and EDSO with full status, including the use of the Russian flag and anthem.

The embassy also stated that the ban contradicted the principles of the Olympic Charter, which prohibits discrimination based on nationality, and called for Russian athletes to be allowed back into the competition. The DGSV had not immediately commented on the Russian claims.