IOC 'acknowledges' Paralympics' move to lift Russia suspension
Zimbabwean candidate for the presidency of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Kirsty Coventry delivers a speech after being elected uring the 144th IOC Session on the day of the election of the next President of the International Olympic Committee, in Costa Navarino, Greece on March 20, 2025. Zimbabwe's Kirsty Coventry elected president of International Olympic Committee on March 20, 2025. (Photo by Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP)
Audio By Vocalize
The International Olympic Committee said on Monday it "acknowledged" the decision taken by the International Paralympic Committee to lift a partial suspension of Russia and Belarus.
The suspension was imposed after Moscow's invasion of
Ukraine in 2022.
The IPC decision on Saturday opens the way for Russian and
Belarusian athletes to compete under their own flags at the Milan-Cortina
Winter Paralympics next year despite the ongoing war in Ukraine.
"The IOC acknowledges the decision taken by the General
Assembly of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC). The IPC, together
with the International Federations responsible for the respective Para sports,
is the authority for the Paralympic Games," an IOC spokesperson said.
Ukraine reacted angrily when the decision was announced on
Saturday during the IPC General Assembly in Seoul.
Ukraine's Sports Minister Matviy Bidnyi said those who voted
for the decision had betrayed "their conscience and the Para values".
The IPC's decision came after the IOC authorised the
presence of Russian and Belarusian athletes at the Milan-Cortina Winter
Olympics, which take place from February 6 to 22, providing they compete under
a neutral flag and meet neutrality conditions.
Leave a Comment