Belarusian and Russian athletes banned from Beijing Paralympics

March 3, BPN. Athletes from Belarus and Russia have been banned from participating in the Beijing Paralympics, opening on March 4. The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) made the decision a day before the start of the competitions.

“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,” said Andrew Parsons, IPC President.

According to him, the day before it was decided to allow the Belarusians and Russians to compete in neutral status, but the situation has changed rapidly.

“An overwhelming number of members have been in touch with us,” Parsons noted. “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.”

He also said that ensuring the safety and security of athletes was of paramount importance to the IPC, and that the situation in athlete villages “is escalating and has now become untenable.”