Russian and Belarusian athletes banned from Winter Paralympics after U-turn

Athletes from Russia and Belarus will not be allowed to compete at the 2022 Winter Paralympics in Beijing after the International Paralympic Committee reversed its original decision.

The IPC was heavily criticized when, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, it initially said it would allow the athletes to compete as neutrals.

But the IPC president, Andrew Parsons has now stated that an “overwhelming number of members” had spoken to the IPC and said they would not compete in the Winter Paralympics, should athletes from Russia and Belarus be allowed to take part.

Parsons said the decision to prevent the athletes competing would “preserve the integrity” of the Games and “the safety of all participants”.