Athletes from Russia and Belarus have been banned from the Winter Paralympic Games in Beijing after a dramatic U-turn by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC).
Only yesterday the IPC had confirmed that they would still be able to compete as neutrals amid the ongoing invasion of Ukraine, with no colours, flags or other national symbols.
Athletes from Russia and Belarus were set to compete under the Paralympic flag and not be included in the medal table.
However, that decision was met with fierce criticism worldwide, including from the British Government, and threats of widespread boycotts, leading to a last-ditch change of heart with the Games in China due to officially begin on Friday.
A total of 83 athletes will now be unable to compete, including a 71-strong team from Russia.
“In taking our decision yesterday, we were looking at the long-term health and survival of the Paralympic Movement,” IPC president Andrew Parsons said on Thursday. “We are fiercely proud of the principles and values that have made the Movement what it is today.
“However, what is clear is that the rapidly escalating situation has now put us in a unique and impossible position so close to the start of the Games. Yesterday we said we would continue to listen, and that is what we are doing.”
Parsons added: “In the last 12 hours, an overwhelming number of members have been in touch with us and been very open, for which I am grateful. They have told us that, if we do not reconsider our decision, it is now likely to have grave consequences for the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games.
“Multiple NPCs (National Paralympic Committees), some of which have been contacted by their governments, teams and athletes, are threatening not to compete.
“Ensuring the safety and security of athletes is of paramount importance to us and the situation in the athlete villages is escalating and has now become untenable.”
Earlier this week, amid the war in Ukraine, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) urged sports federations and event organisers “not to invite or allow the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials in international competitions” in order to “protect the integrity of global sports competitions and for the safety of all the participants”.
In an apology to those athletes affected, Parsons said: “First and foremost, we have a duty as part of the Paralympic mission, enshrined in the constitution, to guarantee and supervise the organisation of successful Paralympic Games, to ensure that, in sport practised within the Paralympic Movement, the spirit of fair play prevails, violence is banned, the health risk of the athletes is managed and fundamental ethical principles are upheld.
“With this in mind, and in order to preserve the integrity of these Games and the safety of all participants, we have decided to refuse the athlete entries from RPC (Russian Paralympic Committee) and NPC Belarus.
“To the Para athletes from the impacted countries, we are very sorry that you are affected by the decisions your governments took last week in breaching the Olympic Truce. You are victims of your governments’ actions.
“I hope and pray that we can get back to a situation when the talk and focus is fully on the power of sport to transform the lives of persons with disabilities, and the best of humanity.”
