Russia's long exclusion from international sports events is set to end as its athletes will compete under their national flag at the Winter Paralympics for the first time since 2014. The decision marks a significant shift, with six Russian and four Belarusian athletes set to participate in the Games, despite ongoing tensions with Ukraine. The move has sparked widespread controversy, with Ukrainian athletes boycotting the opening ceremony and several nations expressing opposition. The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) lifted its partial ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes last year, allowing them to compete in the 2022 Beijing Winter Paralympics. However, the IPC's decision was based on the argument that the athletes' participation did not directly promote Russia's military campaign in Ukraine. The organization cited concerns over the integrity of the Games and the risk of a boycott by other nations. This led to a partial suspension of bans in 2023, permitting athletes to compete as neutrals in the Paris Paralympics. The current arrangement allows Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete under their national flags, a change that has drawn sharp criticism. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the decision as "awful," while some Ukrainian athletes have refused to participate in the Games altogether. The IPC has faced backlash from countries like Germany, the UK, and Italy, which have expressed solidarity with Ukraine. Meanwhile, Russian officials accuse boycotting teams of politicizing the Paralympic movement. The decision has also raised questions about the broader implications for international sports. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has previously barred Russian athletes from competing as neutrals due to doping scandals and the Ukraine conflict.#russia #ukraine #belarus #international_paralympic_committee #volodymyr_zelensky
