The Appeal Tribunal of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has canceled the suspension of the Paralympic Committees of Russia and Belarus. This is stated in a press release on the IPC website. The membership of Russia and Belarus was suspended on November 16, 2023. As indicated, the appeals of both countries were granted on technical grounds. Face-to-face hearings were held on 25 and 26 April in Dubai.
The IPC stressed that while respecting the decision of the Appeals Tribunal, they ultimately do not agree with it. In this regard, the Committee will provide "additional evidence" at the General Assembly, which will be held this year. The Appeal Tribunal emphasized that the decision to exclude athletes from Russia and Belarus from the World and Regional Championships in the six sports administered by the IPC remains in effect.
Earlier, the IOC executive committee recommended that international federations allow Russian athletes who do not support the war against Ukraine to participate in tournaments. It is assumed that they can act under a neutral flag. The IOC spokesperson told The Insider about how athletes will be tested: “All relevant circumstances, in particular public statements, including those made on social networks, participation in pro-war demonstrations or events and the display of any symbol war in Ukraine, for example, the symbol Z, must be taken into account.”