Restrictions on Russia and Belarus have been removed by the International Paralympic Committee.
On February 24, 202, Russia started an illegal offensive war in Ukraine. Aop
The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has decided to eliminate all restrictions from Russian and Belarus athletes, IPC says in his announcement.
The decision was made at the IPC Congress in South Korea on Saturday and will open up the possibility that athletes will be able to compete at next year’s Paralympics under their own flags.
However, each International Federation decides whether Russia and Belarus can participate in nationally or as neutral athletes.
The decision was made with 111 votes, 55 voted and 11 empty votes were given.
According to Expressen, Finland voted, like Sweden, to continue its restrictions. Chairman of the Swedish Paralympic Committee Åsa llllares Norlinwho participated in voting in Seoul, said To Expressenthat the Nordic countries held on to their position:
– We don’t see that nothing has changed, so we have stayed in our stance all the time. However, many other countries believe that the situation is different and it is a democratic decision, Llllares Norlin said.
The Paralympics will take place from 6 to 3rd. March 2026.