August 26, (THEWILL) – The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has confirmed that 88 Russian and 8 Belarusian athletes will compete as neutrals at the 2024 Paris Paralympics, which begin on Wednesday.
Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, athletes from Russia and Belarus were largely excluded from international sports. Their gradual return as neutral participants has been overseen by the IPC and other sporting bodies under strict conditions.
To qualify, athletes had to pass a rigorous vetting process. This included verification by a third-party agency to ensure they had not actively supported the war in Ukraine or had ties to their countries’ militaries. This process mirrors the one used by the International Olympic Committee for the 2024 Summer Olympics.
A key difference from the Olympics is that World Para Athletics has permitted Russian and Belarusian competitors in para-athletics events. However, these athletes will not be allowed to participate in the opening ceremony in Paris.
The total of 96 neutral athletes from Russia and Belarus at the Paralympics is significantly higher than the 32 who competed at the Olympics earlier this year. This increase reflects the broader inclusion of para-athletes from these countries across various sports.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
