The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has announced a pivotal decision, reinstating the national Paralympic committees of Russia and Belarus as full members. This significant move follows a decisive vote taken during the IPC General Assembly, which was held in Seoul. The vote effectively lifted all previous suspensions and penalties that had been imposed on the two nations.
These suspensions were initially enacted in 2022, prohibiting athletes with disabilities from both Russia and Belarus from participating in various Paralympic competitions. This measure was a direct consequence of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, with Belarus also implicated due to its role in facilitating the military aggression.
Prior to this comprehensive reinstatement, a partial concession had been made concerning the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. During an earlier vote, IPC members had agreed to permit athletes from both countries to compete, but only under a strict neutral athlete status. This stipulation explicitly barred them from using any national symbols, such as flags or anthems, during the events.
The recent vote, however, represents a complete reversal of the previous restrictions, restoring full rights to the national Paralympic committees of both countries. An official statement released by the IPC on September 27 confirmed the decision: “Members of the IPC organisation have voted to lift the various suspensions on the Paralympic Committees of Russia and Belarus. The IPC will now work with both member committees to arrange the practical implementation of this reinstatement as quickly as possible.”
The Russian Paralympic Committee (RPC) warmly welcomed the IPC’s decision, expressing profound satisfaction with the lifting of the suspension and the restoration of their rights. The detailed breakdown of the voting revealed substantial support for the reinstatement. For Russia, 111 members cast their votes in favor, 55 against, and 11 abstained. Similarly, for Belarus, 119 members supported the reinstatement, 48 opposed, and 9 abstained.
It is important to note, however, that despite the IPC’s decision, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has not yet announced any similar lifting of sanctions or penalties against Russia and Belarus. Consequently, athletes from both countries who aspire to compete in IOC-governed Olympic events remain subject to existing restrictions. They are generally still required to participate as neutral athletes, adhering to stringent conditions that explicitly preclude any association with or support for the conflict in Ukraine. Furthermore, their participation in IOC events continues to be limited, with strict prohibitions on displaying national flags or playing national anthems.
