The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) said on Wednesday that Russian and Belarusian athletes would be allowed to participate in the 2022 Paralympic Winter Games in Beijing as neutral.
The decision, which comes as the sporting world continues to impose sanctions on Russia and Belarus after the former invasion of Ukraine, means athletes from both countries will compete under the Paralympic flag and will not be included in the medal tally. .
The IPC said that the Russian delegation must cover the emblem of the Russian Paralympic Committee on their uniforms at all official ceremonies and sporting events. The Belarusian delegation must also wear the Belarus flag on its uniform.
In a statement, IPC President Andrew Parsons said: "The IPC and the wider Paralympic movement are deeply concerned by the gross violation of the Olympic Truth by the Russian and Belarusian governments in the days leading up to the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games."
"The IPC Governing Board is united in its condemnation of these actions and agreed that they cannot go unnoticed or go unnoticed."
The Olympic Armistice dates back to the early days of the Ancient Games, some 3,000 years ago when the leaders of three Greek city-states agreed to limit their fighting. In modern times, the truce has been regularly enforced by the United Nations since 1993 as a universal goal.
On 28 January, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on countries around the world to lay down their arms and observe an Olympic ceasefire from seven days before the Beijing Games to seven days after the end of the Paralympic Games.
"What we have decided is the harshest possible punishment under our Constitution and existing IPC rules," Parsons said.
"After Beijing 2022, we will also take measures with our 206 member organizations to determine whether any violation of the Olympic Truth for future Paralympic Games could result in the possible suspension or termination of the NPC."
On Wednesday, Russia continued attacks on major Ukrainian cities with attacks on multiple fronts, while Belarus remains a major military ally of Russia and is being used as a launch point for troops in Ukraine.
Earlier this week, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) "recommended" that Russian and Belarusian athletes be banned from competing in international sporting events, but added that athletes or teams compete as neutrals. where this would not be possible due to "short notice". for organizational or legal reasons."
The IPC said it would host an "extraordinary" general assembly in 2022, during which members "whether to suspend or terminate membership of the Russian Paralympic Committee and the Belarus Paralympic Committee" and "whether to ensure compliance with the Olympics". "Will be invited to vote. The ceasefire should be a membership requirement."
The IPC also said it would not hold any events in Russia or Belarus "until further notice".
The opening ceremony of the Paralympics takes place on the Friday before the official competition begins on the Saturday.