In a recent development, Russian and Belarusian athletes have been prohibited from participating in the opening ceremony of this year's Paralympics in Paris, even if they are granted approval to compete as neutrals. The International Paralympic Committee has imposed stricter limitations on athletes from these two countries compared to the guidelines set by the International Olympic Committee for the upcoming Paris Games.
The IOC's decision in December opted against a blanket ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes following the invasion of Ukraine. However, the IPC has decided that athletes from these nations, competing as neutrals, will not be allowed to march in the Paralympics opening ceremony on August 28 or have a flag bearer at the closing ceremony on September 8.
On the other hand, at the Paris Olympics, Russian and Belarusian athletes approved to compete as neutrals can participate in the opening ceremony scheduled for July 26. This ceremony is expected to feature a parade of boats on the River Seine leading towards the iconic Eiffel Tower.
Both the Paralympics and Olympics have similar criteria for athletes to be approved as neutrals, requiring that they have not actively supported the war and are not affiliated with the military or national security agencies in Russia and Belarus.
It is worth noting that the IPC has historically taken a firmer stance on Russia compared to the IOC. The Russian team was previously excluded from the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Paralympics due to a scandal involving state-backed doping and cover-ups, while the IOC permitted nearly 300 Russian athletes to compete at the Rio Olympics.
These recent decisions highlight the ongoing complexities and considerations surrounding the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes in international sporting events amidst geopolitical tensions and controversies.
For more updates on the Olympics, visit AP Olympics.
