Boycott threats force Paralympic Committee to ban Russian, Belarusian athletes from upcoming Games

The International Paralympic Committee is reversing course for the upcoming Winter Games.

Less than 24 hours after the IPC ruled that Russian and Belarusian athletes would be allowed to compete, the Games’ governing body changed its mind.

Citing the “grave consequences” from “an overwhelming number of members,” the IPC released a statement Thursday morning saying the countries’ athletes will be banned from the Winter Paralympic Games due to the war in Ukraine. The Games are scheduled to begin Friday.

The IPC received heavy criticism after its Wednesday announcement that Russian and Belarusian athletes were allowed to compete with no colors, flags or symbols relating to their countries. That decision ignored the urging from the International Olympic Committee, which had encouraged sports leagues to ban Russian and Belarusian athletes. 

IPC President Andrew Parsons said athletes from other countries were threatening to boycott competing against Russians and Belarusians, which opened the possibility for chaos at the Games. 

“In the last 12 hours, an overwhelming number of members have been in touch with us,” Parsons said in a statement. “They have told us that if we do not reconsider our decision, it is now likely to have grave consequences.

“What is clear is that the rapidly escalating situation has now put us in a unique and impossible position so close to the start of the Games,” Parsons added.

The IPC is the latest of several leagues that have banned athletes from Russia and Belarus, including FIFA and UEFA. Russia was expected to have 71 athletes competing in the Winter Games in Beijing. It’s not clear how many Belarusian athletes were scheduled to compete. 

• This article is based in part on wire service reports. 

• Jacob Calvin Meyer can be reached at jmeyer@washingtontimes.com.