13:33, 4 March 2014

US and British governmental delegations would not visit Paralympics because of events in Ukraine

White House, Washington. Photo: Matt H.Wade http://ru.wikipedia.org/

The White House has cancelled the visit of the presidential delegation to the Winter Paralympic Games in Sochi because of "Russia's military intervention in Ukraine," said Caitlin Hayden, a spokeswoman for the White House National Security Council.

"It's part of the response to Russia's military intervention in Ukraine," said Ms Hayden on March 3, as quoted by the Reuters. However, she added, the decision of the White House will not affect the participation of American athletes in the Games. “President Obama continues to strongly support all of the U.S. athletes who will participate in the Paralympics and wishes them great success in the Olympic competition.” the "Interfax" quotes the Secretary of the National Security Council as saying.

On March 2, a similar decision of the UK was announced by Prime Minister David Cameron. "Because of the serious situation in Ukraine, William Haig and I believe that it would be wrong for UK Ministers to attend the Sochi Paralympics," he wrote on his Twitter account.