Athletes from Russia and Belarus have now been banned from competing in the 2022 Beijing Winter Paralympics.
On Wednesday, the International Paralympic Committee [IPC] came under fierce criticism after announcing competitors from both nations would be permitted to take part, albeit under a neutral banner.
Andrew Parsons, IPC President, initially stated “What we have decided upon is the harshest possible punishment we can hand down within our constitution and the current IPC rules."
It was ruled the teams would compete as the RPC [Russian Paralympic Committee] and NPC [National Paralympic Committee] Belarus. Individual athletes could compete for medals, although neither team would be included in the overall table.
However, the decision was widely vilified, with Ukrainian athletes issuing a joint statement accusing Paralympic bosses of 'choosing bloodshed over principle.'
Sure enough, on Thursday, Parsons revealed that the organisation had performed a U-turn.
He said the authority had now moved in "order to preserve the integrity of these Games," and apologised to the athletes affected.
“In taking our decision yesterday we were looking at the long-term health and survival of the Paralympic Movement. We are fiercely proud of the principles and values that have made the Movement what it is today.
“However, 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.
“Yesterday [Wednesday] we said we would continue to listen, and that is what we are doing."
Parsons said complaints from a number of of IPC member nations had prompted a rethink, amid the threat of "grave consequences" for the Games if Wednesday's decision was allowed to stand.
“Ensuring the safety and security of athletes is of paramount importance to us and the situation in the athlete villages is escalating and has now become untenable" he continued.
"First and foremost, we have a duty as part of the Paralympic mission, enshrined in the constitution, to guarantee and supervise the organisation of successful Paralympic Games, to ensure that in sport practiced within the Paralympic Movement the spirit of fair play prevails, violence is banned, the health risk of the athletes is managed and fundamental ethical principles are upheld.
“With this in mind, and in order to preserve the integrity of these Games and the safety of all participants, we have decided to refuse the athlete entries from RPC and NPC Belarus.
“To the Para athletes from the impacted countries, we are very sorry that you are affected by the decisions your governments took last week in breaching the Olympic Truce. You are victims of your governments’ actions."
The Games get underway this Friday, March 4.
