Archive September 27, 2025

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.

Cafu . Phillip Lahm . Paolo Maldini . Carlos Roberto. Walker, Kylie

Pep Guardiola made the suggestion that Walker should join the elite when he spoke to the media before his Saturday return to Etihad with new club Burnley.

Walker’s return will bring back fond memories for fans who watched the hosts battle their newly promoted Lancashire neighbors to lift themselves from mid-table.

Guardiola believes so.

One of the greatest full-backs ever, he declared, “Absolutely.” Before playing games there with Kyle, I slept like a baby.

He can handle the best-known wingers in the world.

Guardiola did not restrict his purring to Walker’s defensive ability during a lavish press conference tribute. As the manager called Walker “the right-back who defined our time here,” he was cited for his consistency, injury history, pass quality, and dressing room leadership.

In Walker’s time, the Manchester club won 15 major awards, including two FA Cups and the Champions League.

Walker also played a significant role in Gareth Southgate’s England team, helping them reach the 2021 and 2024 European Championship finals, being named one of his country’s vice-captain for the latter and being named one of Uefa’s teams during the latter.

However, Walker’s current England manager, Thomas Tuchel, who chose not to name the 35-year-old in his most recent squad after Walker’s most recent start in an England shirt ended in a shocking 3-1 defeat to Senegal in June, was unable to do so.

Scott Parker, Walker’s new club manager, is persuaded that Tuchel’s opinion of the player’s recent impressive performances at Burnley can be changed.

I have no doubt that he can get in and around the England squad, Parker said. His most outstanding performance of his career, in my opinion, was incredible.

He has been fantastic for us, both in terms of experience and quality. We frequently seem to return to Kyle and discuss his experiences, but I believe we have all come to terms with his quality.

How will Walker’s legacy compare to some of the greatest players of the past 30 years in terms of influence for his country and game-changing for Premier League newcomers?

Maldini, who retired at age 41 after 901 appearances, was the epitome of a one-club man. He spent his entire career with AC Milan. He wore the armband for both the club and the country, Nicknamed Il Capitano.

NFL: Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Minnesota Vikings

Date: Sunday, September 28th, 2018 Kick-off: 14:30 BST

Jerome Bettis, the Pittsburgh Steelers legend, fondly recalls his first appearance in Dublin in 1997.

He believed that those who attended Croke Park to watch his team play against the Chicago Bears were “understanding and digesting” the largely unheard game.

There was a common sense of curiosity among the 25, 000 or so people who entered the Gaelic Athletic Association’s (GAA) headquarters for a game billed as the “American Bowl,” despite the fact that there were many American expatriates and local fanatics present.

Even the Hall of Fame running back, who scored a touchdown in the Steelers’ 30-17 victory, is more fond of the time spent enjoying what he refers to as Irish “hospitality” than anything that took place on the field of play.

With a 75, 000-sell-out crowd guaranteeing the historic fixture is the hottest ticket in town this weekend, the NFL will return to Dublin for the city’s first ever regular-season game against the Steelers and the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday.

Bettis told BBC Sport NI, “I think it shows that the NFL has grown in acceptance.”

“I anticipate that Croke Park jamming because the game has grown a lot more in Ireland.”

Bettis believes that technological advancements and the development of social media have contributed to the game’s exponential growth.

While those who were local supporters of the game in 1997 relied on a highlights show to stay informed about the games played the previous week, there are now numerous live competitions and related programming that are broadcast weekly.

Meanwhile, visiting stars like Aaron Rodgers of the Steelers and Justin Jefferson of the Vikings are closer than ever thanks to social media.

When you consider how the technology has evolved, “I believe it has allowed for players to be in your living room on a regular basis,” said Bettes.

You can now identify with the players thanks to TikTok and all these different media. You are aware of the quarterback’s status. You become a fan of the star wide receiver and their team because you are aware of who they are.

The Steelers’ visit in 1997 had a special significance for the organization because the Rooney family’s ancestors from Newry in County Down in the 1840s immigrated from there.

Indeed, it is believed that the team’s starters continued playing for longer than usual in an effort to secure what would normally be regarded as a simple victory due to the desire to mark the return to the Rooney family’s homeland with victory.

If that meant Bettis had a bigger pre-season workload than expected, he now has a chance to see more of the Emerald Isle this time around thanks to his ambassadorial role for the Steelers on Sunday’s game.

With visits to Belfast and Newry also on the itinerary, a round of golf at the K Club, where Rory McIlroy won the Irish Open this month, has proved to be a special highlight.

Bettis believes that Dublin’s first regular-season game won’t be its last due to the welcome received from the traveling contingent.

“You get a chance to experience the culture and people of Ireland when you visit as a fan and spectator.” It’s just a wonderful place and you get to interact with people a lot more.

The people have been fantastic to everyone, and I believe this will turn out to be a regular occurrence.

“I believe this is a commitment the NFL will make to Irish fans and demonstrate how significant it is,” he said.

Does Bettis think we might eventually see a full-time franchise on this side of the Atlantic given that Dublin will become the fourth city in Europe to host a regular-season game after London, Frankfurt, and Munich, and that Berlin and Madrid will follow suit in November?

He said, “I just think that question will continue to be raised as the game continues to expand.”