Following a specially convened meeting, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Governing Board has decided to refuse the athlete entries from Russia and Belarus for the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games. This means that Para athletes from these respective countries will no longer be allowed to participate in the Games which open on March 4, 2022.

Andrew Parsons, IPC President, said: "At the IPC we are very firm believers that sport and politics should not mix. However, by no fault of its own the war has now come to these Games and behind the scenes many Governments are having an influence on our cherished event. The IPC is a membership-based organisation, and we are receptive to the views of our member organisations."