Russia and Belarus suspensions lifted by Paralympic governing body

After the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) decided not to carry on the sanctions, Belarus and Russia have been lifted.

Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, both nations had been barred from Paralympic competition. Russia has a close relationship with Belarus.

However, their athletes were neutral when they won the Paris Paralympics after officials opposed a full suspension and opted for a partial suspension in 2023.

Russia and Belarus now regain all of their privileges and rights as IPC members after the general assembly in Seoul on Saturday.

They might be able to compete in Milano Cortina in March 2026 under their own flags.

However, Russian and Belarusian athletes are still prohibited from competing in the six sports on the Italian schedule.

As they did at the Paris Olympics last week, the International Olympic Committee announced that it would allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete in the upcoming Winter Games under a neutral flag and strict rules.

The Paralympics governing body confirmed that full IPC membership rights would be restored, saying: “The IPC will work with the two members involved [Russia and Belarus] to put together practical arrangements as soon as reasonably possible.”

It was a “fair decision,” according to the Russian Paralympic Committee.

This is a significant step forward in the development of the international paralympic movement and a shining example of how athletes should be protected from prejudice on both national and political grounds, according to a statement.

Russian athletes are currently neutrals competing in New Delhi’s World Paralympics.

IPC member organizations voted 111-55 to reject a motion to ratify Russia’s full suspension with 11 abstentions, and 91-77 to reject a motion to ratify Russia’s eight-member resolution at the Seoul summit.