International Paralympic Committee Lifts Bans on Russia, Belarus
The International Paralympic Committee on Saturday lifted partial suspensions of Russia and Belarus that had been in place for nearly four years over the invasion of Ukraine.
The decision was made at the IPC’s General Assembly meeting in Seoul (technically it was to “not maintain” the partial suspensions). It’s another step toward the two nations’ return to full international status, with eyes on the upcoming Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina.
The resolution went from a full suspension to no suspension. The vote was 111-55 with 11 abstentions against a full Russian suspension, then 91-77 against a partial suspension, per Inside the Games. The vote against Belarus was 119-48 against a full ban and 103-63 against a partial ban.
“This decision means NPC Belarus and NPC Russia now regain their full rights and privileges of IPC membership, in accordance with the IPC Constitution,” read an official IPC statement. The IPC will work with the two members involved to put practical arrangements in place for this as soon as reasonably possible.”
It was just after the last Winter Games in Bejing in 2022 that Russia – with operational assistance from Belarus – attacked Ukraine. The International Olympic Committee, IPC and many other sporting bodies suspended Russian and Belarussian sporting organizations to varying degrees. Eventually, they were allowed to compete, but under neutral flags, without national colors, in individual sports only and, in some cases, with a clear renunciation of the war. That was the case in Paris, where as Individual Neutral Athletes (AINs, in the French acronym).
Conditions have generally eased on those athletes since. In September, the IOC committed to using the same protocol for AINs in Milan-Cortina as was in force at the Paris Olympics.
In Paris, 32 athletes – 17 from Belarus, 10 from Russia – competed in 10 sports, including one Russian swimmer and three from Belarus. AINs from Belarus won one goal and four total medals. The only medal won by a Russian was a tennis women’s doubles silver medal by Mirra Andreeva and Diana Shnaider.
Swimmers from both countries were able to compete as neutral athletes at the World Aquatics Championships, including in relays, and at the World Para Swimming Championships, both in Singapore over the last two months.
The decision by the International Paralympic Committee was taken on a week where discussion is ramping up over Israel’s international status given the war in Gaza. A cycling team bearing Israel’s sponsorship was barred from a race in Italy after protests had repeatedly disrupted the Vuelta a Espana, European soccer governing body UEFA is weighing a vote on whether to bar Israel from World Cup qualifying and Christophe Dubi of the IOC felt the need to confirm that Israel will compete in the upcoming Winter Olympics.
