Six Russian and four Belarusian athletes are allowed to compete under their national flags at the 2026 Winter Paralympics in Italy following a decision by the International Paralympic Committee.
The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has restored the rights of the Paralympic Committee of Russia, allowing six Russian and four Belarusian athletes to compete under their national flags at the upcoming 2026 Winter ParalymPic Games in Italy. This decision comes after an appeal by Russia and Belarus against the International Ski and Snowboard Federation was upheld by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, which allows these nations' athletes to compete and earn ranking points in certain sports.
The Russian athletes who will compete include representatives from para-alpine skiing, para-cross-country skiing, and para-snowboarding, with a total of three athletes qualifying across these disciplines. Meanwhile, the Belarusian athletes granted participation are all from the cross-country skiing category. This development is significant as it demonstrates a shift in the IPC's stance and may have implications for international relations within sports, reflecting the ongoing discourse around sanctions and athlete participation.
The participation of athletes from Russia and Belarus at international sporting events has elicited mixed reactions globally, particularly in the wake of geopolitical tensions and Russia's invasion of Ukraine. While the IPC’s allowances may be viewed as a step towards inclusivity, several international federations continue to impose restrictions on their participation in different sports, indicating that issues around governance and competitive integrity in sports remain complex and fraught with controversy.
