The president of the International Paralympic Committee, Andrew Parsons, indicated that admission decisions for Russian and Belarusian athletes at the Paris 2024 Games will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis by the IPC itself. The final call will rest with the IPC, independent of any conclusions or recommendations from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) (IPC, 2024).
The Paralympic Games are slated to run from August 28 to September 8, 2024, with a framework that continues to emphasize inclusive participation while upholding governance integrity across federations (IPC, 2024).
Parsons underscored that the IPC’s stance on Russia and Belarus remains steadfast. Although the IOC has issued guidance to international sports bodies, that guidance does not apply to the Paralympic movement. The IPC aims to keep the broader sports community connected, yet each federation must operate within its governance rules and sustain ongoing dialogue with its member organizations (IPC, 2024).
He noted that the IPC General Assembly, which voted to suspend the Russian Paralympic Committee in 2022, retains the power to revisit that decision in light of evolving circumstances and governance discussions within the IPC framework (IPC, 2024).
According to Parsons, there is a possible scenario in which Russian and Belarusian athletes could participate in the Olympic Games in Paris, but not be eligible to compete in the Paralympic Games. The policy clearly separates the Olympic and Paralympic movements regarding eligibility and rights to participate during the same Olympic cycle (IPC, 2024).
Earlier in March, the IOC Executive Board discussed the option of allowing Russians to compete under a neutral status, provided they are not actively supporting hostilities. Individuals affiliated with law enforcement or armed forces would be barred from competition under that neutral framework. The discussions reflect ongoing efforts to balance participation with broader political and security considerations that affect international sport (IOC, 2024).
In related developments, Ukraine’s Ministry of Sports has implemented measures limiting athletes from facing Russian competitors in certain contexts, illustrating how national authorities interact with international sport governance amid tensions between states. This dynamic highlights the sensitive interplay between political events and sports eligibility rules, and how different organizations respond to shifting geopolitical realities while striving to protect the integrity of competition and participant safety (IPC, 2024).
Throughout this period, the IPC has reaffirmed its commitment to upholding the rights and dignity of athletes with disabilities, while maintaining open channels of communication with member federations, national Paralympic committees, and the athletes themselves. The organization continues to assess eligibility, neutrality, and inclusion policies in light of evolving international norms, values, and legal frameworks. In doing so, the IPC seeks to preserve fair competition, safety, and the universal goal of sport as a unifying force for people around the world, including Canada and the United States, where Paralympic programs and national teams rely on clear, transparent governance to plan training cycles and qualification pathways (IPC, 2024).