Athletes from Russia and Belarus have been banned from competing in the 2022 Winter Paralympic games due to the ongoing crisis in Ukraine.
It was announced today, Thursday March 3, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Governing Board has decided to refuse the athlete entries from the Russian Paralympic Committee (RPC) and National Paralympic Committee (NPC) Belarus for the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games.
Why has the IPC made this decision to ban Russia and Belarus?
The IPC previously said yesterday athletes from these teams would be able to participate in the games, which kick off tomorrow, Friday March 4, for individual medals, but neither team would be included in the overall table,
However, this decision wasn’t taken well by the many athletes – who threatened to boycott – and less than 24-hours later Andrew Parsons, IPC President, announced the U-turn.
Parsons explained the decision came to ‘preserve the integrity of these Games and the safety of all participants’ and usually the IPC ‘are very firm believers that sport and politics should not mix’ – with the current crisis now becoming an exception.
He said: “In the last 12 hours an overwhelming number of members have been in touch with us and been very open, for which I am grateful. They have told us that if we do not reconsider our decision, it is now likely to have grave consequences for the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games. Multiple NPCs, some of which have been contacted by their governments, teams and athletes, are threatening not to compete.
“Ensuring the safety and security of athletes is of paramount importance to us and the situation in the athlete villages is escalating and has now become untenable.
“First and foremost, we have a duty as part of the Paralympic mission, enshrined in the constitution, to guarantee and supervise the organisation of successful Paralympic Games, to ensure that in sport practiced within the Paralympic Movement the spirit of fair play prevails, violence is banned, the health risk of the athletes is managed and fundamental ethical principles are upheld.
“With this in mind, and in order to preserve the integrity of these Games and the safety of all participants, we have decided to refuse the athlete entries from RPC and NPC Belarus.”
How many athletes will no longer take part in the 2022 Paralympics?
The ban now in effect will now impact around 83 athletes from the two countries, to which Parsons apologised for, calling them ‘victims’ of their governments actions.
“To the Para athletes from the impacted countries, we are very sorry that you are affected by the decisions your governments took last week in breaching the Olympic Truce. You are victims of your governments’ actions,” he continued.
“Athlete welfare is and always will be a key concern for us. As a result of today’s decision 83 Para athletes are directly impacted by this decision.
“However, if RPC and NPC Belarus remain here in Beijing then nations will likely withdraw. We will likely not have a viable Games. If this were to happen, the impact would be far wider reaching.
“I hope and pray that we can get back to a situation when the talk and focus is fully on the power of sport to transform the lives of persons with disabilities, and the best of humanity.”
Where does Team GB stand on the Paralympics ban?
The British Olympic Association (BOA), in previous days, had stated their position on the situation saying they, along with Germany ‘demanded’ the immediate exclusion of the teams.
This morning the British Paralympic Association has welcomed the IPC’s decision saying it is ‘in line with the values of the Paralympic movement’.
The statement said: “The British Paralympic Association welcome the IPC decision to refuse athlete entries from the Russian Paralympic Committee and National Paralympic Committee Belarus for the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games.
“Given the horror of what is happening in Ukraine, we believe they have made the correct decision for these Games and is in line with the values of the Paralympic movement.
“Paralympics GB athletes can now focus on the competition for which they have trained so hard and their welfare has been at the forefront of our thinking. We continue to express our solidarity with the people of Ukraine and our friends at NPC Ukraine.”