International Paralympic Committee suspends Russia, Belarus

At an extraordinary General Assembly meeting in Berlin on Wednesday the International Paralympic Committee IPC member organisations suspended the National Paralympic Committees NPCs of Russia and BelarusIPC members voted 6439 in favour of a motion to suspend Russia with 16 members abstaining while 5445 voted to suspend Belarus with 18 abstainingThe decision by IPC members to suspend NPC Russia and NPC Belarus stems from their inability to comply with their membership obligations under the IPC ConstitutionThis includes the obligations to ensure that in Para sport within the Paralympic Movement the spirit of fair play prevails the safety and health of the athletes are protected and fundamental ethical principles are upheld and not to do anything by act or omission that is contrary to the purpose or objects of the IPC andor that risks bringing the IPC the Paralympic Movement or Para sport into disreputeAndrew Parsons IPC President said As a democratic membershipbased organisation it was important to allow the General Assembly as the supreme body of the IPC to take a decision on this important matterBefore votes were taken on the respective motions IPC members had the opportunity to express their views This included hearing from the NPCs of Russia and Belarus who under German Law which governs our Constitution had the right to attend speak and present their case to the Extraordinary General Assembly Ultimately our membership has decided to suspend both NPCs with immediate effect until further noticeAs IPC President I want us to live in a world where sport unites the world in peaceful competition enabling athletes to compete against their rivals to the best of their abilities in a safe and secure environmentAlso readInternational Olympic Committee threatens to suspend Indian Olympic AssociationThe situation that the world of sport faces right now is highly charged and complex I hope and pray that the conflict in Ukraine ends as soon as possible that peace is secured and that no more innocent lives are lost or impactedDue to their suspension NPC Russia and NPC Belarus lose all rights and privileges of IPC membership in accordance with the IPC ConstitutionBoth NPC Russia and NPC Belarus now have the right to appeal the decision Should any appeal not be upheld then only the General Assembly can revoke the suspension The next IPC General Assembly is due to take place in the final quarter of 2023 at a venue yet to be confirmedThe Extraordinary General Assembly also approved a motion amending the IPC Constitution to allow the IPC Governing Board to impose protective measures if there is an extraordinary event that risks compromising the safety viability integrity andor fairness of the Paralympic Games any other Para sport competition sanctioned or authorised by the IPC or any other IPC activitiesThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever