Russian and Belarusian athletes can compete as neutrals at Beijing Winter Paralympics

Russian and Belarusian athletes can compete as neutrals on the Winter Paralympics in Beijing, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) mentioned on Wednesday, regardless of calls to ban them following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine for which Belarus has been a key staging space.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) this week beneficial that sports activities federations droop groups and athletes from the 2 international locations however added that they may compete as neutrals if time or authorized constraints prevented their removing.

“They will compete under the Paralympic flag and not be included in the medal table,” the IPC mentioned in a press release.

“In deciding what action to take, the Board was guided by the IPC’s core principles, which include a commitment to political neutrality and impartiality, and an unwavering belief in the transformative power of sport.

“These are key elements of the brand new IPC Constitution that was permitted on the 2021 IPC General Assembly held simply over three months in the past.”

Russian athletes were already set to compete under the Russian Paralympic Committee banner as part of sanctions imposed for a state-sponsored doping programme.

IPC CONFIRMS IT WILL NOT HOST EVENTS IN RUSSIA, BELARUS

The IPC added they would not host any events in Russia and Belarus, including World and European Championships, until further notice and urged other international and regional para federations to follow a similar approach.

A number of sports federations, including world soccer governing body FIFA and European soccer governing body UEFA, have banned teams and athletes from the two countries, and also stripped them of key events such as this season’s Champions League final.

“Given the time constraints… the IPC Governing Board will reconvene after the Games to additional focus on this matter and any extra motion which may be required,” the assertion added.

The 20-member Ukrainian contingent, accompanied by 9 guides, arrived in Beijing on Wednesday following preliminary fears they could not have the ability to make it in time for the Games, which run from March 4-13.