March 02, (THEWILL) – Despite rising pressure for a ban in the aftermath of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Russian and Belarussian paralympic competitors have been cleared to compete as neutrals at the Beijing Paralympic Winter Games.
On Wednesday, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) announced the decision, stating that competitors from the two countries will participate under the Paralympic flag and would not be included in the medal standings.
The decision was made as Russia’s invasion in Ukraine entered its seventh day. Belarus, a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, has provided strategic support for the military deployment by hosting Russian troops and allowing them to transit via its southern border.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) suggested last week that sport federations and organisers not accept or allow Russian and Belarussian athletes and officials to compete in international contests. If time or legal restrictions prevent such action, the IOC has recommended sport organisations to admit Russian and Belarussian athletes exclusively as neutrals, as THEWILL reported.
Since Russia launched its assault last week, at least 400 civilians have been dead and over 800,000 people have left Ukraine, prompting significant condemnation from the international community, including the sports world.
Nadine Dorries, the UK Culture Secretary in charge of sport, condemned the IPC’s decision, saying she was “extremely disappointed.”
Dorries’ statement, posted on Twitter, said: “This is the wrong decision and I call on them to urgently reconsider. They must join the rest of the world in condemning this barbaric invasion by banning Russian and Belarussian athletes from competing.”
Dorries went on to say that she would think about how she may challenge the decision.
The Canadian Paralympic Committee stated that it supports the sanctions imposed on Russia and Belarus, but that it would have “liked the two countries expelled immediately”. The CPC also stated that it was awaiting the special assembly’s evaluation of the IPC’s membership status.
The US Olympic and Paralympic Committee said in a statement on Wednesday that the IPC’s decision “excuses Russia’s disregard for not only the Olympic truce, but also for the victims of a senseless war.”
The IPC will also call an extraordinary meeting to discuss “whether to suspend or terminate the membership of the Russian Paralympic Committee and the Belarus Paralympic Committee,” according to its statement, and will not stage any events in Russia or Belarus until further notice.
The IPC’s action came as FIFA and UEFA, the world and European football governing bodies, respectively, banned athletes from Russia and Belarus and barred them from competing in this season’s Champions League final.
About the Author
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.
