Winter Paralympics: Russian and Belarusian athletes cleared to compete as neutrals in Beijing
- International Paralympic Committee says athletes from both countries must compete under Paralympic flag, and will not be included in medal table
- Opening ceremony could be muted affair as Games take place against backdrop of Ukraine invasion
Russian and Belarusian athletes will be allowed to compete as neutrals at the 2022 Winter Paralympics, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) said after meeting in Beijing on Wednesday.
In a statement, the IPC said athletes from both countries must compete under the Paralympic flag and will not be included in the medal table.
Beijing’s Winter Paralympics open on Friday under the shadow of Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, and a growing list of sporting federations that have banned Russian athletes and cancelled events.
The IPC said it was united in its condemnation of the governments of Russia and Belarus for breaching the UN resolution in the week leading up to the opening of the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games. The Board was also in agreement that the breach of the truce could not go unpunished.
“In deciding what action to take, the Board was guided by the IPC’s core principles, which include a commitment to political neutrality and impartiality, and an unwavering belief in the transformative power of sport.
