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Paralympic Committee: An Apology is Necessary, Shifting Blame is Not

Published January 28, 2026, 13:19
Paralympic Committee: An Apology is Necessary, Shifting Blame is Not

The Cypriot Paralympic Committee returns with a new announcement following the apology of MEP Fydias Panayiotou for controversial statements. The Committee states that an apology is necessary, but loses its value when accompanied by hints, offsets and political interpretations. It believes that Mr. Panayiotou's attempt to link the criticism to polls and timing is a shifting of responsibility. Furthermore, the Committee points out that the apology is diminished when accompanied by questions such as “Why Now?” and that the call for “ideas” to support people with disabilities does not constitute an institutional position. It emphasizes that rights, equality and respect cannot be the result of a “digital brainstorming”. The Committee stresses the need for responsible speech and practical respect for the Paralympic Movement, rejecting “corrective communication moves”. It announces that it will take specific action towards the competent European institutions. The announcement concludes by emphasizing that respect should not have asterisks, highlighting the importance of the non-negotiable value of respect for people with disabilities.