Russian and Belarussian athletes will be REFUSED from entering Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games

Russian and Belarusian athletes will be banned from the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games after the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) reversed its original decision.  

The IPC’s announcement on Wednesday that athletes from those countries would be allowed to compete under a neutral flag was met by criticism and the threat of a boycott.

That decision however has been overturned and means that Para athletes from these respective countries will no longer be allowed to participate in the Games which open on 4 March 2022.

Andrew Parsons, IPC President, said: ‘At the IPC we are very firm believers that sport and politics should not mix. 

‘However, by no fault of its own the war has now come to these Games and behind the scenes many Governments are having an influence on our cherished event.

‘The IPC is a membership-based organisation, and we are receptive to the views of our member organisations.

‘When our members elected the Board in December 2021 it was to maintain and uphold the principles, values, and rules of the Paralympic Movement. As Board members that is a responsibility and duty we take extremely seriously.

‘In taking our decision yesterday we were looking at the long-term health and survival of the Paralympic Movement. We are fiercely proud of the principles and values that have made the Movement what it is today. 

‘However, what is clear is that the rapidly escalating situation has now put us in a unique and impossible position so close to the start of the Games.

‘Yesterday we said we would continue to listen, and that is what we are doing.

‘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.

IPC president Andrew Parsons insists ensuring the safety and security of athletes is of paramount importance to us

Parsons apologised to athletes from Russia and Belarus, by saying: ‘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.

‘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.

Athletes have already arrived in Beijing with the opening ceremony due to take place on Friday

‘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.’ 

The opening ceremony for the Paralympics gets underway on Friday.

Governing bodies across the sporting world have been left with decisions to make after Russian president Vladimir Putin ordered an invasion on Ukraine

The invasion of Ukraine has left governing bodies across the sporting world decisions to make over Russia and Belarus.

After immense pressure, FIFA and UEFA decided to suspend Russia from all competitions until further notice. 

Russian and Belarusian athletes have been excluded from World Athletics Series events indefinitely too.

The International Tennis Federation has suspended those countries from membership and team competitions, but individual players are still competing on the men’s and women’s professional tours.

The same is the case in Formula One after the FIA allowed Russians to compete as neutrals, though Motorsport UK will not allow Haas driver Nikita Mazepin to race at the British Grand Prix this summer.