Trendpills
The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) General Assembly has voted to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to participate as individual neutrals in the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. The decision reverses a blanket ban imposed following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, creating a path for athletes from both countries to compete under strict conditions.
During its meeting in Manama, Bahrain, the IPC General Assembly first voted against a motion for a full suspension of the Russian Paralympic Committee. Subsequently, members voted 90-56 in favor of a partial suspension for Russia and 79-57 for a similar measure against Belarus. This official decision from the IPC General Assembly specifies that the suspension of membership rights is for two years, but grants an exception for athletes to compete in a neutral capacity.
This neutral status means that athletes from Russia and Belarus will compete without their national flags, emblems, or anthems. Furthermore, they will only be eligible to enter as individual athletes, with team participation not permitted. The ruling allows them to enter world and regional championships in addition to the upcoming Paralympic Games.
The decision has triggered a divided response from the international sports community. The move has drawn significant criticism, with ParalympicsGB expressing disappointment, stating the outcome "does not align with the values of the Paralympic movement." The athlete advocacy group Global Athlete also voiced its disapproval. An adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Mihaylo Podolyak, strongly condemned the decision.
In contrast, IPC President Andrew Parsons acknowledged the democratic nature of the vote and urged all members to respect the outcome. The debate highlights the ongoing struggle within international sports organizations to balance the principle of political neutrality with accountability for actions taken by member nations. Before the vote, a motion for a complete ban was narrowly rejected, signaling deep divisions among the national committees on how to handle the situation stemming from the conflict in Ukraine.
