The expectations that were raised at that time have been quashed in Atlanta, at the Extraordinary General Assembly of the IPC, and this has led to an open confrontation with IBSA and other International Federations. The International Olympic Committee, as the financial benefactor of the IPC, to request that they halt such material aid, until such time as the demands expressed by the group of blind and visually impaired athletes might be resolved. - And to the media, in order to inform the public of these resolutions and of the essence of the conflict in question. The maximum organ of democratic representation for the blind all over the world has backed this initiative without reservations, being convinced that it is based on criteria of justice and rationality. In the Extraordinary General Assembly in Atlanta, a simple majority of the delegates supported motion 5.2, focal point of the subsequent controversy. It does not therefore appear to be a sectarian or rash idea and, no matter how favourable the climate might be towards the current IPC management team, this should not permit them to reject it.
Every alley undoubtedly has, sooner or later, some way out.
In short, the capacity for dialogue that the IPC demonstrates in this field will determine the definitive position of IBSA, as regards their links and relations to said Committee in the future, and the consequent recommendations that may be put to the member nations at the IBSA General Assembly to be held next summer. Our fears, unfortunately, have been confirmed. The present heads of the IPC have shut themselves in their ivory tower of supposed power, closing the door they themselves appeared willing to open last November, on the occasion of the I IPC Congress in Tokyo. The political essence of the Task Force formed there has been destroyed by the IPC itself in Atlanta, thus killing off the desires for democratization and rationalization that IBSA has been trying to promote, together with other International Federations. Time has thus run out and, with the possibility of negotiations fast fading, we find ourselves obliged to take the initiative i.e. take action.