The Paralympic Committee’s tribunal overturned the suspension of Russia’s membership

The appeals tribunal of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) overturned the decision to suspend the membership of the Paralympic Committees (IPC) of Russia and Belarus. It is noted that the decision was made “for technical reasons”. At the same time, the non-admission of Russian and Belarusian athletes to the competition remains in force.

The decision to suspend membership was made on November 16, 2022, based on the inability of the Russian and Belarusian Olympic Committees to fulfill their membership obligations in accordance with the constitution of the Paralympic Committee. This decision was later appealed.

IPC President Andrew Parsons disagreed with the appeals tribunal’s decision.

“Of course, we respect the decision of our Independent Appeals Tribunal, but we do not agree with it. Following the instructions of the Appeals Tribunal, we have undertaken to return to these issues later at this year’s General Assembly. We will provide additional information that has become available to us since then,” Parsons said.

• After the start of the war, the International Olympic Committee recommended that sports federations around the world not allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to participate in competitions. The purpose of the recommendation in the IOC was called “protection of the integrity of global sports competitions” during the Russian invasion of Ukraine.