US EditionParalympic governing body lifts ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes ahead of 2026 games
The International Paralympic Committee granted 10 slots to Russia and Belarus for the 2026 Winter Paralympics, marking a partial restoration after bans linked to doping and the Ukraine invasion.
- On Tuesday, February 17, the IPC confirmed 6 Russian and 4 Belarusian athletes will compete under their flags at Milan-Cortina 2026, with 10 wildcard spots for March 6-15, treated like any other country.
- The IPC's September vote to lift the suspension followed a 2023 partial suspension replacing a complete ban after Russia's 2022 invasion, with athletes gaining ranking points after a CAS appeal in December.
- The Russian Paralympic Committee received six wildcards in alpine skiing, cross-country skiing and snowboarding, while Belarus' four places are focused in cross-country skiing; participants include three-time alpine skiing gold medallist Alexey Bugaev.
- Despite the IOC requiring athletes to compete under neutral flags, Valeriy Sushkevych responded that Ukraine will not boycott the Paralympics, risking a victory for Vladimir Putin, he said he was 'very, very angry and outraged.'
- Precedent at the current Winter Olympics shows sports governing bodies remain divided over Russia, with some easing bans following legal and political pressure, as 13 Russians and 7 Belarussians compete under similar terms.
129 Articles
129 Articles
Thirteen Russian and seven Belarusian athletes will compete in the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, which run until Sunday. Moscow is calling for the complete lifting of restrictions imposed over the war in Ukraine and doping scandals, and the International Olympic Committee says athletes are not responsible for their governments' decisions. There are growing signs in international sports diplomacy that Russian athletes will return to the sport, b…
Russian Athletes' Sporting Ban Lifted After Paralympics Committee Makes a Bold Call
The year 2022 unfolded a major setback for Russia as the athletes were banned from competing at the Paralympics. While the decision stemmed from the country’s military action in Ukraine, which authorities viewed as a breach of the Olympic truce, things look primed for improvement this year. A recent announcement has quietly opened the door for Russian athletes to compete at the upcoming Paralympics in Milan. Russian and Belarusian athletes will …
9NEWS Denver
Russian Paralympians will compete under their own flag, despite Olympic ban. Here's why.
Russian athletes will compete under their own flag at the Paralympics for the first time in over a decade, despite an Olympic ban. Here's why. (AP Photo)
The Italian Government expresses its absolute opposition to the decision of the International Paralympic Committee to admit to participating in the Paralympics of Milan Cortina 2026 six Russian athletes and four Belarusian athletes with the exhibition of their national emblems, including the hymn. This is stated in a note by the Foreign Ministers, Antonio Tajani, and the Sports, Andrea Abodi. The continuing violation of the truce and of the Olym…
Russian War Veterans Seek Paralympics Spot
The Russian Paralympic Committee has confirmed that approximately 500 veterans of the Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine are now integrated into Russia’s national and regional Paralympic teams, according to Suspilne News on February 17. We bring you stories from the ground. Your support keeps our team in the field. DONATE NOW While a group of Russian and Belarusian athletes recently received approval to compete under their national flags a…
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