The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has lifted all sanctions against Russia and Belarus.
The two countries were since the entire -scale invasion of Russia’s Ukraine in 2022, including using the Belarusian region to march on Kiev.
At its General Assembly in Seoul, the IPC voted against the full suspension of Russia on the first Saturday (111–55, 11 restraint). It was after a vote against the partial suspension that was in place (91–77, 8).
There were those votes that were held about Belarus, raised with partial suspension.
What did the IPC state do?
The IPC’s statement said, “This decision means that NPC Belarus and NPC Russia now regain their full rights and privileges of IPC membership as per the IPC Constitution.”
“The IPC will work with two members, who will join to make practical arrangements to make practical arrangements as soon as possible,” it said.
This means that Russian and Belarusian athletes may now be under their own flag in Milan-Cortina Winter Paralympics next year despite the ongoing war and occupation.
However, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) will maintain its strict admission rules for athletes of both countries.
They will be allowed to compete as a neutral, but cannot participate in the team’s game or display national symbols.
How did Ukraine react?
Ukraine’s Sports Minister, Matvi Bidney condemned the verdict, claiming that those who voted for it had bet on “his discretion and Olympic values”.
Bidney said, “We call our European partners, who will host the upcoming winter paralympic Games, not to allow the flag of the aggressive state to be freed and allowed to raise the democratic location, while the war of war continues.”
He said that Ukraine’s “what to do to decide will be collectively made in later stages”.
Federation wants to take final decision
Russian and Belarusi National Paralympic committees were partially suspended after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
His athletes could compete only as a neutral after undergoing a strict veting process at the Paralympic Games in Paris in Paris.
It is not clear that the athletes of Ether Country will compete in Milan-Cortina, as the final decision rests with the Sports Federation, which continues to implement restrictions.
Edited by: dmytro hubenko