Paralympic chief expects ‘reaction’ to Russia ban lift

The International Paralympic Committee president claims that the decision to lift the sport’s ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes will cause “a reaction” from other nations.

The athletes can compete under their own flags at upcoming international competitions like the 2026 Winter Paralympics, thanks to a vote on Saturday by IPC members to remove a partial ban.

Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, a partial ban was put in place, allowing athletes to compete as neutrals.

IPC CEO Andrew Parsons stated that BBC Sport members have the right to object to any decision they make. However, because we are a democratic organization, our members have spoken out in the knowledge that there will be a response.

We condemn this vile action taken by the IPC general assembly, which discredits the International Paralympic Committee, and urge all national paralympic committees to deny the admission of those who violate the fundamental human right, the right to life, further.

Athletes will still need their individual sporting federations to lift their own bans in order to represent their respective nations despite the IPC vote.

For instance, the IPC decision would permit Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo in March 2026, but the restrictions placed on them by the international organizations that control the six sports on the Italian schedule already encumbre the sport.

More than 200 members make decisions, according to Parsons, who spoke at the Para Athletics World Championships in New Delhi, India. They made the choice, and now my job is to put it into practice.

“My personal position is well known to many people. It’s not worth mentioning right now, in my opinion. I am an IPC employee, and I must adhere to the membership’s decisions.

We are sports organizations, as history will demonstrate. Only the world of sport should be responsible for trying to solve problems in politics, in my opinion, which is unfair.