Russian, Belarusian athletes banned from Paralympic Games over Ukraine invasion

By ToI Staff 3 March 2022, 9:41 am

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Dancers perform during the opening ceremony of the 2022 Winter Olympics, Friday, Feb. 4, 2022, in Beijing. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

The International Paralympic Committee announces that Russian and Belarusian athletes will not be allowed to compete in the upcoming competition for excellence in sport among persons with disabilities.

In a statement, IPC President Andrew Parsons appears to blame political pressure for the decision.

“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,” Parsons says.

Parsons apologizes to the Russian and Belarusian athletes, calling them “victims of [their] governments’ actions.”