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yesterday

IPC Reinstates Russia and Belarus, Leaving 2026 Paralympic Participation Unclear

Final entries depend on federations that still enforce bans, with 2025/26 licenses mandatory.

In this pool photograph distributed by the Russian state agency Sputnik, Russia's President Vladimir Putin poses for pictures with Russian Paralympians, medallists from the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games following a state awards ceremony at the Kremlin in Moscow on December 16, 2024.
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Overview

  • IPC members meeting in Seoul on Sept. 27 voted down full and partial suspensions, restoring full membership to Russia (111–55 against full, 91–77 against partial) and Belarus (119–48 against full, 103–63 against partial).
  • The decision could permit national flags and other symbols at the Milan‑Cortina Winter Paralympics on March 6–15, 2026, whereas the IOC plans neutral status for Russians and Belarusians at the Winter Olympics.
  • Eligibility remains controlled by the international federations for para alpine, cross‑country, snowboarding, biathlon, para ice hockey and wheelchair curling, many of which continue to bar athletes from Russia and Belarus.
  • Each athlete would need an active 2025/26 license from the relevant federation, and the IPC said it will work with the two NPCs on practical arrangements.
  • Ukraine condemned the vote as “shameful,” urged Italy not to allow Russian flags at the Games and said a decision on its own participation will come later, while Russian officials welcomed the ruling as “fair.”