Russian athletes WILL be allowed to compete at Winter Paralympics next month

Russian athletes will be allowed to compete at the Winter Paralympics next month – despite their government’s ‘breach of the Olympic Truce’.

The Russian Olympic Committee are sending a team of 71 to take part in Beijing from March 4.

The International Paralympic Committee are currently holding talks with officials from Russia and Ukraine. But they are set to resist calls to ban the ROC from the Games, meaning some of Britain’s 25 athletes will compete against Russians for medals.

‘The IPC is in dialogue with both the Ukrainian and Russian Paralympic Committees ahead of the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games,’ the IPC said in a statement.

‘As a politically neutral organisation, the IPC’s focus remains on the upcoming Games rather than the ongoing situation.

‘The Olympic Truce demonstrates the relevance of the Olympic and Paralympic Games to bring the world together in peaceful competition, providing hope for a better future.’

The IPC’s stance comes despite the International Olympic Committee releasing a statement condemning the war waged by Putin, who attended the Winter Olympics opening ceremony earlier this month.

International Paralympic Committee are said to be holding talks with Russia and Ukraine

All United Nations member states – which includes Russia – are asked to observe the Olympic Truce, which the UN describes as the ‘longest lasting peace accord in history’.

The Truce is meant to be observed from seven days before the start of the Winter Olympics, until seven days after the end of the Paralympics, which is March 21.

‘The IOC strongly condemns the breach of the Olympic Truce by the Russian government,’ said the IOC in a statement.

‘IOC president Thomas Bach reiterates his call for peace, which he expressed in his speeches at the opening ceremony and the closing ceremony of the Olympic Games.

‘The IOC is deeply concerned about the safety of the Olympic community in Ukraine. It has established a task force to closely monitor the situation and to coordinate humanitarian assistance to members of the Olympic community in Ukraine where possible.’