Overview: IPC ends restrictions on Russia and Belarus
The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has decided to lift all restrictions against Russia and Belarus, allowing athletes from the two countries to compete in the Paralympics under their own flags. The decision was announced at the IPC General Assembly in Seoul on a Saturday vote that tied implications to Milan-Cortina 2026. For the first time since partial suspensions were introduced two years ago, Russian and Belarusian athletes could return to Paralympic competition with full rights intact.
In practical terms, the move means that, if the decision remains in effect, competitors from Russia and Belarus can participate in the Paralympics in Milan and Cortina, scheduled for March 6–15. The Paralympics, the premier event for athletes with disabilities, often runs in the days immediately following the Olympic program, highlighting both athletic excellence and geopolitical signaling on the world stage.
The vote and its scope
Out of 166 delegates, 111 voted to remove the restrictions, while 55 voted against the measure. The result marks a shift away from the more cautious approach that had characterized the IPC’s stance in recent years and aligns with actions seen in the Olympic movement for the next year’s Games in Northern Italy. The IPC vote mirrors broader debates about how sport interacts with international conflicts and sanctions, and it raises questions about what constitutes fair participation in a time of geopolitical tension.
Reactions from Nordic and European leaders
Norway’s stance
Norges idrettspresident, Zaineb Al-Samarai, expressed disappointment with the outcome. “Dessverre”—the Norwegian translation of “unfortunately”—captured the sentiment of a country that maintained a clear stance against lifting the restrictions. Al-Samarai underscored that no changes to conditions for participation had occurred in the ongoing context of Russia’s aggression in Ukraine, arguing that the decision did not reflect a shift in the underlying circumstances.
Finland’s response
Sari Rautio, head of Finland’s Paralympic Committee, voiced strong opposition: “I feel like I’ve been hit in the head with a log. What the hell?” Her reaction mirrored a broader concern in several European sports bodies about returning Russian and Belarusian athletes to elite competition while geopolitical tensions persisted. Rautio emphasized that the chosen path still raises serious questions about safety, ethics, and the spirit of fair play in Paralympic sport.
Implications for Milan-Cortina 2026 Paralympics
The timing of the IPC decision places Russia and Belarus back into the Paralympic arena for the Milan-Cortina 2026 Games. Organizers and national committees will now navigate a more complex eligibility and neutral participation landscape, balancing competitive integrity with global political realities. While some athletes may welcome the chance to compete on the Paralympic stage, critics warn that the move risks politicizing sport and may inflame tensions among nations not aligned with Moscow or Minsk.
Context: Paralympics, Olympics, and broader geopolitics
Beyond the IPC, the Olympic movement has faced similar debates about whether to engage athletes from Russia and Belarus as neutrals or with full national affiliation. The IOC has maintained a related policy for the Olympic Games, and the Paralympic community is now weighing how these choices affect public perception, athlete welfare, and the overall mission of the Paralympic movement to showcase talent, resilience, and inclusion under challenging global circumstances.
What comes next
As Milan-Cortina 2026 approaches, IPC members, national paralympic committees, and athletes will monitor how the decision unfolds in practice. Debates are likely to continue about eligibility criteria, anti-doping safeguards, and the extent to which the Paralympics should act as a platform for political statements. The present moment underscores a broader tension in sport: how to preserve the integrity and values of competition while respecting geopolitical realities that stretch far beyond any arena.
Conclusion
The IPC’s decision to lift restrictions on Russia and Belarus marks a pivotal moment for Paralympic sports. It has sharpened debate across Europe, eliciting both disappointment and concern from leaders like Norway’s Zaineb Al-Samarai and Finland’s Sari Rautio. As Milan-Cortina 2026 looms, stakeholders will be watching closely to see how the Paralympic movement balances competitive fairness with the broader currents of international politics.
