At its general assembly on Saturday in Seoul, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) decided to cancel the partial expression of Russia and the ally of Belarus, which has been in effect since the war against Ukraine. It follows that the two national committees are again included in the organization as full members.
This decision formally enables the participation of Russian and Belarusian para athletes under their respective flag in the winter games in Italy, which take place in March next year. However, the six sports in the program are subject to international associations that have so far maintained the suspension of Russian and Belarusian athletes.
At the Paralympics in Paris, the athletes from Russia and Belarus were only allowed to take part in a neutral flag, their hymns were not played during award ceremony. Russians and Belarussians were not approved for the opening ceremony. Teams from both countries were completely excluded from the competitions.
In order to be entitled to participate, every athlete must have an active license for the 2025/26 season from its international association for Para-Alpinski, para cross-country skiing, para-snowboard, para-biathlon, para ice hockey and wheelchair curling. Athletes from both countries are currently suspended in these associations.
The IPC made a drastic decision on Saturday than the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Its executive had stipulated on Friday last week that Russian athletes are only allowed under a neutral flag at the Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo and to allow strict criteria to be fulfilled, teams are not allowed.
By decision by Seoul, the disabled sports associations from Russia and Belarus would now receive their full rights, the IPC said. “The IPC will work with the two members to take practical precautions for this as soon as possible,” it said.
During the general assembly, a clear majority of the members voted against a complete exclusion of the Russians. In another vote, the committee then raised the partial expression with 91:77. The vote on further sanctions against Belarus was similar.
The IOC suspended Russia’s National Olympic Committee because it took the four annexed Ukrainian areas of Donetsk, Cherson, Luhansk and Saporischschja. The IOC rated this as a violation of the Olympic Charter.
