Russian, Belarussian athletes to compete as neutrals at Winter Paralympics

By Emre Asikci

ISTANBUL (AA) - Russian and Belarussian athletes will participate as neutrals at the Beijing 2022 Paralympics, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) announced on Wednesday.

"They will compete under the Paralympic flag and not be included in the medal table," IPC said in a statement.

"IPC to host extraordinary General Assembly in 2022 to vote on whether to make compliance with the Olympic Truce a membership requirement and whether to suspend or terminate the membership of the Russian Paralympic Committee and Belarus Paralympic Committee IPC will not hold any events in Russia or Belarus until further notice," the statement said.

The IPC said that the Russian Paralympic Committee (RPC) delegation must cover the RPC symbol on their uniforms in all official ceremonies and sporting events.

"The Belarus delegation must cover the Belarus flags on their uniforms in all official ceremonies and sporting competitions," it added.

The 2022 Winter Paralympics will take place over 10 days from March 4 to 13 in Beijing.

Russia's war on Ukraine, which began on Feb. 24, has met international outrage with the EU, US and UK, among others, implementing tough financial sanctions on Moscow.

At least 142 civilians, including 13 children, have been killed and 408 others, including 26 children, injured in Ukraine, according to UN figures.