IPC Lifts Suspensions on Russia and Belarus Ahead of 2024 Games
The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has officially lifted the partial suspensions imposed on Russia and Belarus, allowing both nations to regain their full rights within the organization. This decision emerged from the IPC’s general assembly held in Seoul, South Korea, where members voted on the matter on September 30, 2023.
In a closely contested vote, the assembly first rejected a full suspension for Russia with a tally of 111 votes against to 55 in favor, alongside 11 abstentions. Subsequently, a vote against a partial suspension resulted in 91 votes against and 77 in favor, with eight abstentions. Similarly, Belarus faced a full suspension rejection by 119 votes to 48 (with nine abstentions) and a partial suspension rejection with 103 votes against to 63 in favor (with 10 abstentions).
IPC officials communicated that the decisions allow the National Paralympic Committees (NPCs) of Belarus and Russia to fully participate in IPC activities. “This decision means NPC Belarus and NPC Russia now regain their full rights and privileges of IPC membership, in accordance with the IPC Constitution,” the committee stated.
The IPC’s decision raises concerns about potential conflicts with individual sports governing bodies as nations prepare for the Milan-Cortina Paralympics, scheduled for March 6-15, 2024. The assembly’s outcome indicates a shift in the IPC’s stance following the bans enacted after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, which led to both countries being barred from international sporting events.
The Russian Paralympic Committee welcomed the IPC’s decision, describing it as a “fair decision” that supports the development of the international Paralympic movement. In a statement posted on its website, the committee asserted that “the rights of athletes must be protected without discrimination on the basis of nationality and political affiliation.”
As of now, there has been no immediate response from the Ukrainian Paralympic Committee or the Ukrainian Olympic Committee regarding these developments. However, state broadcaster Suspilne reported that Ukrainian law prohibits delegating national teams to competitions where countries deemed aggressors are represented, unless neutrality principles are observed.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has also suspended the Russian Olympic Committee since 2023 for violations of the Olympic Charter, specifically the appropriation of regional sports bodies in occupied eastern Ukraine. Despite this, Russian athletes will still be allowed to compete in the upcoming Milan-Cortina Winter Games from February 6-22, 2024, under the designation of Individual Neutral Athletes (AIN), a system confirmed by the IOC during the recent Paris Games.
As the sporting world moves closer to the 2024 events, the IPC’s decision marks a significant moment in the ongoing dialogue about representation and participation in international sports amidst geopolitical tensions.
