Updated European Paralympic Committee Position Statement on the Membership status of the Russia and Belarus National Paralympic Committees

This Position Statement is an updated version to that agreed and endorsed by the European Paralympic Committee (EPC) Extraordinary General Assembly, held on 8 March 2024: EPC Position Statement on the participation of athletes and support personnel from Russia and Belarus at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games: Clarity on Neutrality:  and is in support of the statement on this issue published on 12 November 2025 and signed by 33 Ministers and equivalent senior representatives of sport and the Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport on behalf of the European Commission. 

Introduction  

The European Paralympic Committee (EPC) and the majority of its community continue to condemn the war in Ukraine in the strongest possible terms and stand in solidarity with the Ukrainian Paralympic Committee and people. It is a tragedy for millions of people who have lost friends and loved ones and who have been displaced, including athletes who not only have to face personal losses but are also unable to train in their home country or travel to international events.  

We sincerely thank the national governments of various countries across Europe and around the world, along with the National Paralympic Committees (NPCs) and sports organizations, who continue to provide Ukrainian athletes with a safe environment and support. 

In particular in Europe, many of us have witnessed first-hand the catastrophic effect the conflict is having on athletes and have rallied to try to minimise its effects on Para sports.   

Sadly since this Position Statement was published on 8 March 2024 it does not appear that an end to the war is in sight, and the breaches of the IPC Constitution are still active.   

Therefore nothing fundamental has changed since the IPC General Assembly held in Manama, Bahrain, on 23 September 2023. Here the IPC Membership voted to suspend the Membership of the Russia and Belarus NPCs and for athletes and support personnel from those countries to compete as neutrals at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. 

It is against this background, as well as on continued and obvious ethical grounds, that the European Paralympic community – and equally important the wider public - finds the decision of the IPC General Assembly held in Seoul, South Korea, on 27 September 2025 to reinstate the Russia and Belarus NPCs as full Members difficult to comprehend.  

As a democratic body and Members of the Paralympic family, we respect the outcome of the General Assembly. We also recognise that, in practice, no athletes or support personnel from Russia or Belarus can qualify for Milano Cortina 2026.  

However, in this instance we have concerns about the longer-term impact particularly in the build-up to the LA 2028 Paralympic Games, and when five Paralympic sports – including athletics and swimming as the two biggest - are still governed by the IPC.  

We believe that the assembly had insufficient information on the current status of breaches of the IPC Constitution which led to the initial Membership suspension, the consequences of their vote for the Paralympic Movement, or adequate time to debate the topic.  

In order to provide context and constructively enhance the debate, we have gathered together the reoccurring concerns and reflections shared by Members in Europe since the 2025 IPC General Assembly. These are developed from a survey carried out as well as representations made to the European Paralympic Committee Executive Board.  

Impact on athletes  

Members, particularly those concerned about their domestic security, are in dialogue with athletes who are preparing to compete at Milano Cortina 2026 in just a few months and who are close to beginning their pathway to LA 2028. The decision of whether they compete at Games and other competitions is currently down to individuals and NPCs, some of whom are placed in an awkward position. 

The feedback we are receiving from Members is that athletes feel very uncomfortable and in some cases distressed with the idea of competing against athletes representing Russia and Belarus under their own flag. Whilst, in practice, this will not happen at Milano Cortina 2026, the outcome still exists that officials (e.g. referees and representatives) from these countries could be present. In addition, it might even be the case that some countries and/or athletes will not be permitted to compete.  

The most recent IPC General Assembly was not given the opportunity to hear these concerns and its determination unintentionally puts athletes and NPCs in a difficult situation when their focus should be elsewhere over the coming months and years.  

Public perception  

Members report that the public response to the most recent IPC General Assembly was one of confusion and anger. NPCs have received questions asking why the decision had been made and media coverage was both wide and highly critical.   

A number of national governments also issued official condemnations and made strong representations in the media and to the IPC directly.  

In addition, before it became known that no athletes from Russia or Belarus would be competing at Milano Cortina 2026, national broadcasters were looking closely at their broadcast plans particularly in relation to the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, or any event where the Russian and/or Belarusian flag may have appeared. This is particularly concerning for the long term, as we look ahead to LA 2028.  

These responses show some of the profound consequences for the reputation of the Paralympic Movement and its strategy to increase its impact, as well as severely limiting its commercial potential, all of which will effect all Members, Organising Committees and other key stakeholders.  

Governance, anti-doping and classification

On behalf of Members the IPC should investigate the current governance of the Russia and Belarus NPCs as it relates to the IPC Constitution and present its findings. As part of this, it should look at public statements made by the relevant NPCs. 

In addition, further to the European Paralympic Committee Position Statement from March 2023, consideration should be given to anti-doping concerns for athletes that have been out of the competition circuit for more than two years.  

Similarly, it can be expected that a large number of new and previously classified athletes will require classification. A complicated strategy to ensure fairness and equality of access will have to be made by the IPC in collaboration with International Federations if the decision stands. 

International Federations, competition hosting and qualification for LA 2028  

The current position of five of the six Paralympic winter sports – where athletes from Russia or Belarus are able to either compete as neutrals or not at all - is strongly welcomed in relation to Milano Cortina 2026. However, the situation with potential wild cards is unclear and is a concern for athletes and Members.  

The outcome of the IPC General Assembly also puts summer and winter sport International Federations alike in a difficult place. With the decision by the International Olympic Committee to maintain the neutral status of athletes from Russia and Belarus, some International Federations are faced with having to make different arrangements for their Para sports.   

In addition, in 2026 the qualification process for LA 2028 will begin. The situation regarding qualification and participation is uncertain and raises concerns amongst athletes and Members. 

European Championships as well as other qualifiers are also set to take place in the region and around the world and form part of the pathway to the next Paralympics. 

As a direct result of the IPC General Assembly, National Federations who had invested significant time and effort in developing high-quality bids to host competitions in European countries are reporting they may have to withdraw. This is because some International Federations now require them to guarantee entry or visas for teams from Russia and Belarus, which they cannot do, as well as display those national flags in venues and by extension on broadcast coverage. Other logistical, safety and security considerations also come into play.

This will all impact ambitions to host Para sport competitions in countries across Europe. National, regional and local support, which underpin events, could and will fall away. A weakened athlete experience will be the result as well as undermining the reach, impact and credibility of Para sport. 

Our Members are heartened by the early reactions of some International Federations since the IPC General Assembly, who have decided to either maintain the neutral status of athletes and support personnel from Russia or Belarus or continue to suspend their participation completely.  

Summary  

In summary, the decision to reinstate full Membership of the Russia and Belarus NPCs is disproportionate to the impact of simply maintaining the related Membership suspension which has seen neutral athletes and support personnel re-enter competitions successfully.   

Notwithstanding the other points raised in the Position Statement from March 2024, such as the Olympic Truce, logistics, safety and security, and given that nothing material has changed in the rationale of the 2023 IPC General Assembly decision, the European Paralympic community urges the IPC to look again at this issue and offer Members the chance to reconsider reverting to the decision they made Manama, Bahrain in 2023. The Governing Board has the mandate to take action if they feel, or feel from Members, that the Paralympic Games are under threat.  

International Federations have a similar mandate to protect and preserve the safety and equality of qualification pathways of the athletes they serve, as well as make their own contributions to the reach and profile of Para sport. We call on all International Federations to maintain the neutral status of athletes and support personnel from Russia and Belarus. 

As a collective we recognise the unique achievements of the whole Paralympic Movement within the field of human endeavour and know that the Paralympic Games can be a positive force for change. The movement has always been united in advocating for fairness, equality and equity. The athletes we represent have real and often daily experiences of those values not being upheld. We are motivated to provide the best possible platform to change that by protecting the viability and credibility of the Paralympic Movement, Games and Para sport events.