The General Assembly of the International Paralympic Committee has decided to fully reinstate the membership rights of the national Paralympic committees of Russia and Belarus. The decision was made during a session held in Seoul on September 27, reports Baltimore Chronicle citing a statement by the International Paralympic Committee.
Restrictions against the Russian Paralympic Committee had been in place since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Those measures limited athletes to competing only under a neutral status. Their removal now means that Russian Paralympians will again be able to participate in international competitions under the Russian flag.
During the General Assembly, IPC members considered several options, including extending partial suspensions or enforcing full exclusion of the Russian and Belarusian committees. However, the majority of delegates voted against both initiatives, effectively opening the way for the full reinstatement of both national committees.
The IPC reminded that in 2023 both organizations had been partially suspended for failing to meet constitutional obligations required of its members. With these restrictions now lifted, Russia and Belarus regain all rights and privileges associated with full membership in the International Paralympic Committee.
Additionally, the IPC confirmed its intention to begin working closely with the Russian and Belarusian committees to ensure a smooth process of restoring their full participation within the organization.
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