March 2 (Reuters) – Athletes from Russia and Belarus will be able to compete under a neutral flag at the Paralympic Winter Games in Beijing, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) said on Wednesday, despite calls for their exclusion following the invasion of Ukraine by Russia.
The committee had this week recommended that sports federations suspend teams and athletes from both countries but added that they could compete as neutral participants if legal or time constraints prevented their withdrawal.
“They will compete under the Paralympic flag and will not be included in the medal count,” the IPC said in a statement Wednesday.
“In deciding what action to take, the Board has been guided by the fundamental principles of the IPC, which include a commitment to political neutrality and impartiality, and an unwavering belief in the transformative power of sport” .
Russian athletes were already scheduled to compete in the Paralympic Games under a neutral banner as part of sanctions imposed for a Moscow-backed doping program.
“Given the time constraints, the IPC Board will meet again after the Games to further discuss this matter and any further action that may be required,” the committee said.
Some sports federations, including FIFA, world football’s governing body, have decided to ban Russian and Belarusian teams and athletes.
The Paralympic Winter Games will be held in Beijing from March 4-13. (Reporting Manasi Pathak in Bangalore and Dhruv Munjal in Beijing; French version Federica Mileo, editing by Blandine Hénault)