Athletes from Russia and Belarus will not be allowed to compete at the 2022 Winter Paralympics in Beijing after the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) reversed its original decision, according to BBC.
The IPC initially said that it will allow Russian and Belarus athletes to compete as neutrals but the committee was heavily criticized by other athletes threatening not to compete if that is allowed.
A statement said the “situation in the athlete villages” was “untenable”.
IPC president Andrew Parsons said an “overwhelming number of members” had spoken to the IPC and said they would not compete in the Winter Paralympics should athletes from Russia and Belarus be allowed to take part.
Parsons described the Russian and Belarusian athletes affected as “victims of your governments’ actions”.
