The International Paralympic Committee ended restrictions against Russia and Belarus on Saturday during meetings in Seoul. Russian and Belarusian athletes may compete under national flags at next year's Milan-Cortina Paralympic Games. The ruling reverses penalties imposed after Russia's 2022 Ukraine invasion.
Athletes must obtain valid 2025-26 licenses from sport governing bodies that currently ban both nations. Six winter sports face these restrictions: alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, snowboarding, biathlon, ice hockey and wheelchair curling. The committee previously allowed neutral participation at Paris 2024 Paralympics under strict conditions. This decision follows the International Olympic Committee's similar ruling eight days earlier for the Milan-Cortina Olympics.
Athletes must obtain valid 2025-26 licenses from sport governing bodies that currently ban both nations. Six winter sports face these restrictions: alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, snowboarding, biathlon, ice hockey and wheelchair curling. The committee previously allowed neutral participation at Paris 2024 Paralympics under strict conditions. This decision follows the International Olympic Committee's similar ruling eight days earlier for the Milan-Cortina Olympics.
