Russian athletes competing at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris will not be allowed to use their country’s flag.
The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) voted Friday on the eligibility of Russian athletes, allowing individuals to compete under neutral banners.
Russia has been banned from the Olympic and Paralympic communities since invading Ukraine in 2022.
The specific parameters for athletes from Russia’s ally Belarus have also not been decided.
RUSSIA, BELARUS NOT OFFICIALLY INVITED TO PARIS 2024 OLYMPICS, IOC SAYS
Paris 2024 Olympic Games logo on one of the official t-shirts on display in a shop at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport in Roissy-en-France, France. (Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
The IPC voted on Friday not to ban Belarusian athletes outright, but has yet to decide whether they can compete representing their country.
The Russian Olympic Committee is not boycotting the Paris games and has expressed its support for athletes who wish to compete as neutrals.
INTERNATIONAL PARALYMPIC COMMITTEE OVERTURNS SUSPENSION OF RUSSIA, BELARUSIAN MEMBERS, EXCLUDED ATHLETES
Andrew Parsons, President of the International Paralympic Committee speaks during the opening ceremony on the first day of the Para Athletics World Championships Paris 2023 at Stade Charlety in Paris, France. ((Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images))
“Boycotting the Games leads nowhere,” Russian Olympic Committee President Stanislav Pozdnyakov said, according to The Moscow Times.
He added, “We live together in a free state. Every person can, if he chooses, take the road.”
International bodies have struggled to accommodate the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes in the games since their ban was imposed.
This photo shows the Olympic Phrygian mascots on the Alexandre III Bridge ahead of the 2023 World Para Triathlon – Duathlon Trial Olympic Games event in Paris. (EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP via Getty Images)
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In view of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Ukrainian government eased restrictions on participation in sporting events with Russian athletes.
In a July decision, the Ukrainian government said it would narrow the focus of its ban sports games against Russian competitors.
Moving forward, Ukrainian athletes will be able to compete against Russian athletes who do not represent their country.
