Rome, Italy. Italy has called on the International Paralympic Committee to reverse its decision to allow 10 Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete with national flags and anthems at next month’s Winter Paralympic Games. The ministers said the decision contradicts the Olympic spirit given Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Italian government opposition
Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani and Sports Minister Andrea Abodi urged the IPC to reconsider its stance, citing Russia’s four-year-old invasion of Ukraine. In a statement late on Wednesday, they said the Italian government expressed its “absolute opposition” to the IPC ruling made in September, adding that Rome’s position echoed that of 33 other countries and the European Commission.
The statement said Russia’s continued violation of the truce and Olympic and Paralympic ideals, supported by Belarus, was incompatible with participation in the Games, except as neutral individual athletes.
Russian embassy response
Russia’s embassy in Italy said it was unacceptable to target athletes with disabilities. It said on Telegram that the stance taken by the two Italian politicians, backed by the authority of the government they represent, was offensive and deserved widespread condemnation.
Background on bans and appeals
Russia and Belarus were banned from Paralympics competitions after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine but regained full rights in the IPC in a vote by members last year. International federations for each sport on the Paralympic Games programme had said they would maintain bans on athletes from those countries, but Russia and Belarus won an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport in December against the International Ski and Snowboard Federation.
A limited number of Russian and Belarusian athletes are competing as neutral independents without flags or anthems at the ongoing Winter Games, with Olympic Committees of both nations still sanctioned by the International Olympic Committee.
Visa report denied
An Italian ministerial source denied a report in La Repubblica suggesting that Tajani might move to block visas for Russians. The source said the Italian authorities would not take any action to block visas for athletes or their entourage if their participation was confirmed.
Games dates
The Winter Paralympics run from March 6 to 15.
How do you think international sports bodies should balance neutrality rules with ongoing geopolitical conflicts?