The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has decided to partially suspend the paralympic committees of Russia and Belarus for two years, but allow their athletes to compete as individual neutrals at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.
IPC General Assembly votes against full ban
The IPC members gathered in Bahrain for their general assembly on Friday, September 29, 2023. They voted on two motions regarding the status of Russia and Belarus, which have been involved in the invasion of Ukraine since 2022.
The first motion was to fully suspend the National Paralympic Committees (NPCs) of Russia and Belarus for breaches of their constitutional membership obligations. This motion was rejected by a narrow margin of 74-65, with 13 abstentions.
The second motion was to partially suspend the NPCs of Russia and Belarus for two years, subject to reassessment at the next general assembly. This motion was approved by a majority of 90-56, with six abstentions.
Athletes can compete as neutrals in six sports
As a result of the partial suspension, the NPCs of Russia and Belarus will lose their membership rights for two years. However, their athletes and related support personnel will be eligible to participate in an individual and neutral capacity in the Paralympic Games and World and Regional Championships and sanctioned competitions in six sports: athletics, powerlifting, shooting, swimming, table tennis and wheelchair fencing.
These are the sports for which the IPC acts as the international federation. The athletes will have to meet certain eligibility criteria and comply with anti-doping rules. They will not be able to display any national symbols or play any national anthems.
IPC President calls for respect and focus on sport
IPC President Andrew Parsons said that he expected all IPC members to fully respect the decision of the general assembly. He also hoped that the focus would now be on sport and the performances of para athletes.
“As this was a decision taken by the IPC General Assembly, I expect all IPC members to fully respect it,” Parsons said. “With the decision now behind us, I hope the focus as we lead-up to the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games can now be very much on sport and the performances of para athletes.”
He added that the IPC would continue to monitor the situation in Ukraine and work with other stakeholders to protect the integrity of para sport.
Reaction from Russia, Belarus and Ukraine
The decision by the IPC was welcomed by some Russian and Belarusian officials and athletes, who saw it as a chance to compete at the highest level despite the political tensions.
“We are grateful to the IPC for giving us this opportunity,” said Pavel Rozhkov, president of NPC Russia. “We will do our best to prepare our athletes for Paris 2024 and show our respect for the Paralympic movement.”
“We are happy that our athletes will not be deprived of their dreams,” said Oleg Shepel, president of NPC Belarus. “We hope that this decision will help to improve the relations between our countries and promote peace and friendship.”
However, some Ukrainian officials and athletes expressed disappointment and anger at the decision, saying that it would encourage Russia to continue its aggression and violate international law.
“This decision lacks reason and principle,” said Mihaylo Podolyak, adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, on social media platform X. “Permitting participation of Russians in the Paralympic Games … provokes Russia to increase the levels of mass violence in Ukraine in order to exert pressure on global elites and force them to agree to the right of Russia to disregard international laws.”
“This is a betrayal of our sovereignty and dignity,” said Yevheniy Bohodayko, a Ukrainian para swimmer who won six medals at Rio 2016. “We will not accept this injustice and we will fight for our rights on and off the pool.”
