The International Paralympic Committee (IPC), at its General Assembly, has decided to fully reinstate the membership of the Russian and Belarusian Paralympic Committees. This decision lifts the restrictions imposed in February 2022 following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The history of the restrictions evolved sequentially: initially, Russian Paralympic athletes were suspended from the Beijing Games, and in 2023, the IPC suspended the membership of the national committees of both countries. During this period, athletes from Russia and Belarus were only permitted to participate in IPC-sanctioned competitions exclusively under a neutral status and in an individual capacity.
The reinstatement of status has concrete practical consequences. It grants Russian and Belarusian Paralympic athletes the right to compete in international competitions, including the 2026 Winter Paralympic Games in Italy, under their national flag and using other national symbols.
From an analytical perspective, this decision by the IPC sets a significant precedent. It affirms the principle that athletes should not bear indefinite responsibility for the actions of their national governments, provided all prescribed conditions are met. This creates a potential foundation for the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to consider the full admission of Russian and Belarusian athletes, which would align with the declared Olympic values, such as “unity through sport.” An evolution in the IOC’s position is already observable, evidenced by its decision to allow athletes from these countries to participate in the 2026 Olympics under a neutral status.
Thus, the IPC’s decision demonstrates a trend towards the de-escalation of restrictions in international sport. The critical reaction from Ukraine, which characterized this decision as a “betrayal of Olympic values,” is expected. However, the continuation of the policy of isolating athletes contributes to the further politicization of sport, whereas granting them equal conditions for participation aligns with the principles of fairness and healthy competition.
