The IPC faced criticism after originally allowing the two nations to compete
Russian and Belarusian athletes will now no longer be able to compete at this year’s Winter Paralympics after the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) reversed their original decision.
The IPC were criticised after they originally stated that Russia could compete under a neutral flag, however, president Andrew Parsons announced the new decision on Thursday.
The IPC Governing Board has decided to refuse the athlete entries from the RPC and NPC Belarus for the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games. https://t.co/8rE0szi8YE
— Paralympic Games (@Paralympics) March 3, 2022
He said: “At the IPC we are very firm believers that sport and politics should not mix. However, by no fault of its own the war has now come to these Games and behind the scenes many Governments are having an influence on our cherished event.
“In taking our decision yesterday we were looking at the long-term health and survival of the Paralympic Movement. We are fiercely proud of the principles and values that have made the Movement what it is today.
“However, what is clear is that the rapidly escalating situation has now put us in a unique and impossible position so close to the start of the Games. Yesterday we said we would continue to listen, and that is what we are doing.”
Russia and Belarus were both set to have several competitors in Beijing, with Russia taking 75 athletes and Belarus taking 12. The IPC president admitted that other nations threatened to pull out of the Games if they did not take action.
“In the last 12 hours an overwhelming number of members have been in touch with us and been very open, for which I am grateful,” Parsons said.
“They have told us that if we do not reconsider our decision, it is now likely to have grave consequences for the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games. Multiple NPCs, some of which have been contacted by their governments, teams and athletes, are threatening not to compete.”
Parsons also apologised to the athletes of the two nations – insisting that it was a decision that had to be made.
He added: “To the Para athletes from the impacted countries, we are very sorry that you are affected by the decisions your governments took last week in breaching the Olympic Truce. You are victims of your governments’ actions.”
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