The International Paralympic Committee has decided to lift the partial suspensions imposed on Russia and Belarus. During the IPC general assembly held in Seoul, South Korea, a vote was conducted against a full suspension for Russia, with 111 in favor, 55 against, and 11 abstentions. Another vote against a partial suspension for Russia resulted in 91 in favor, 77 against, and 8 abstentions.
Regarding Belarus, a vote against a full suspension garnered 119 in favor, 48 against, and 9 abstentions. Additionally, a vote against a partial suspension for Belarus showed 103 in favor, 63 against, and 10 abstentions.
These decisions could potentially lead to conflicts with the governing bodies of each sport in preparation for the upcoming Milan-Cortina Paralympics scheduled in Italy from March 6-15 next year.
In response to the lifted suspensions, the IPC stated that “this decision signifies that NPC Belarus and NPC Russia will now have their full rights and privileges of IPC membership reinstated, following the IPC Constitution. Practical arrangements will be made by the IPC in collaboration with the two members to facilitate this process promptly.”
The bans on Russia and Belarus from international sporting events were initially imposed due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The Russian Paralympic Committee’s press service expressed satisfaction with the IPC’s decision to fully reinstate the committee, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding athletes’ rights without discrimination based on nationality or political affiliations.
While the reaction from the Ukrainian Paralympic or Olympic committees is pending, Ukraine’s state broadcaster, Suspilne, noted that Ukraine legally prohibits sending national teams to competitions where aggressor countries participate without upholding neutrality principles under state symbols.
The Russian Olympic Committee has been under suspension by the International Olympic Committee since 2023 for violating the Olympic charter by incorporating regional sports bodies in occupied eastern Ukraine through an administrative action.
For the Milan-Cortina Winter Games in northern Italy scheduled from Feb. 6-22 next year, Russians will be permitted to compete. The IOC confirmed that the competition will follow the system used at the previous Paris Games, allowing Russian athletes to participate as Individual Neutral Athletes (AIN).
