Six Russian and four Belarusian athletes will compete under their nations’ flags at the upcoming Winter Paralympics, NRTC can confirm.
In September, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) lifted its ban on athletes from the two countries competing at the Games. Both countries were suspended from Paralympic competition after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, with Belarus a close ally of Russia.
A partial ban – allowing athletes to compete as neutrals – was introduced in 2023. However, the four individual governing bodies in charge of the six sports contested at the Paralympics decided to keep their bans in place. That resistance delayed any immediate full return to the global stage.
In December, Russia and Belarus won an appeal against FIS at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas), permitting them to compete and accumulate ranking points.
The IPC also confirmed that the 10 athletes have been awarded bipartite commission invitations to compete in Para-alpine skiing, Para-cross country skiing and Para-snowboarding at the Milan-Cortina Games.
IPC confirms slots as Russian flag returns to Paralympic arena
“The IPC can confirm that NPC Russia has been awarded a total of six slots: two in Para-alpine skiing (one male, one female), two in Para-cross country skiing (one male, one female), and two in Para-snowboard (both male),” it said in a statement.
“NPC Belarus has been awarded four slots in total, all in cross-country skiing (one male and three female).”
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It should be noted that Bipartite commission invites are granted to individual athletes, rather than their international federation. It will mark the first time a Russian flag has been flown at a Paralympic Games since the Sochi 2014 Games.
The Milan-Cortina Winter Paralympics will take place from 6-15 March.
Tags: Russian and Belarusian athletes, Milan-Cortina Winter Paralympics, Court of Arbitration for Sport, Cas, International Paralympic Committee, IPC.
