The International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA) suspended the membership of Russia and Belarus for two years. This was reported by press service IBSA.
“IBSA Board of Directors confirms that it will respect and support the decision of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) General Assembly to partially suspend the membership of Russia and Belarus for the next two years,” the statement said.
It was noted that if Russian and Belarusian blind athletes successfully pass the neutrality test, they will be allowed to participate in the competitions to be held in Paris in 2024 with neutral status. The IPC General Assembly voted in September to suspend the Russian Paralympic Committee (RPC).
At the end of February 2022, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) appealed to international sports federations, recommending that domestic and Belarusian athletes should not be allowed to participate in any competitions due to the political situation.
At the meeting of the IOC Executive Committee on March 28, 2023, it was proposed to allow the Russians to remain in neutral status if the athletes are not actively involved in supporting military operations. Athletes representing law enforcement agencies and armed forces will not be allowed to compete.
Formerly with the International Olympic Committee answered Criticisms against Russian President Vladimir Putin, who announced that he discriminated against Russian athletes.