Last night they were controversially allowed to compete but in the early hours of this morning in Beijing, the athletes of Russia and Belarus that were to have taken part in the Winter Paralympic Games have been excluded.

The about-turn follows a specially convened meeting of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Governing Board.

Yesterday the Board decided that it could not exclude the athletes under its own constitution but that they would compete as neutrals with no flags, emblems or anthems. This decision was met with dismay across the sporting and political spectrum.

Paralympics Ireland had previously called for the suspension of the two aggressor nations.

Former President of Paralympics Ireland John Fulham told RTÉ Drivetime yesterday that “they should have found a way.”

This morning they did.

“In the last 12 hours, an overwhelming number of members have been in touch with us and been very open, for which I am grateful,” said IPC President Andrew Parsons.

“They have told us that if we do not reconsider our decision, it is now likely to have grave consequences for the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games. Multiple NPCs, some of which have been contacted by their governments, teams and athletes, are threatening not to compete.”

“Ensuring the safety and security of athletes is of paramount importance to us and the situation in the athlete villages is escalating and has now become untenable.”

“First and foremost, we have a duty as part of the Paralympic mission, enshrined in the constitution, to guarantee and supervise the organisation of successful Paralympic Games, to ensure that in sport practised within the Paralympic Movement the spirit of fair play prevails, violence is banned, the health risk of the athletes is managed and fundamental ethical principles are upheld.”

“With this in mind, and in order to preserve the integrity of these Games and the safety of all participants, we have decided to refuse the athlete entries from RPC and NPC Belarus.”

“This means that Para athletes from these respective countries will no longer be allowed to participate in the Games which open on 4 March 2022.”

Most sporting bodies have listened to the mood of the world and suspended Russia and Belarus athletes and teams. Two outliers, for now, are tennis and F1 where athletes are to be continued to compete but under a neutral flag. Nikita Mazepin who drives for Haas will not at present be allowed to compete in the British Grand Prix as race organisers Motorsport UK have imposed their own suspension.

World Number One men’s tennis player Daniil Medvedev is currently allowed to compete in the Grand Slams but the Ukraine Tennis Federation has made representations this should not be allowed.

Livescore, the online results service which has the live streaming rights to all UEFA Champions League Games in Ireland has removed all Russian football competitions from its service.

 

Sport for Business Perspective:

As a leader, you have to be able to read the room. Clearly, the IPC needed help in that with multiple threats to withdraw from the Winter Games forcing their hand.

At a time of heightened tension, it can often be difficult and sport has always maintained a traditional neutral stance when it comes to politics but we live in an ever more connected world and sport is one of the most powerful soft power forces within it.

The fact it is also one of the most obvious expressions of national identity cannot be ignored.