International Paralympic Committee overturns suspension of Russia, Belarus memberships, athletes still barred

Fox News Flash top headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com.

Russia and its ally Belarus have had their suspension from membership of the International Paralympic Committee overturned on appeal but their athletes remain barred from competing in IPC-run events.

The IPC said Friday that its independent appeals tribunal had ruled that the IPC membership should have considered more evidence before voting to suspend the two countries' national Paralympic organizations in November, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The IPC said the tribunal decision on Wednesday was taken on a "technicality" and that some of the evidence the tribunal heard wasn't available when the vote was taken last year. IPC President Andrew Parsons called the ruling "a decision we certainly respect, but disagree with."

UKRAINIAN PARALYMPIC ATHLETES RACKING UP MEDALS AFTER ESCAPING CHAOTIC SITUATION BACK HOME

The issue is now set to be considered again by IPC members in September. That meeting was already expected to consider the IPC's approach to Russian and Belarusian athletes in preparations for the Paralympics in Paris next year.

The Paris 2024 Olympic headquarters is lit up to celebrate the launch of the International Paralympic Committee’s WeThe15 campaign on August 19, 2021, in Paris, France. The International Olympic Committee has overturned the suspension of Russia and Belarus' memberships. The countries' athletes will still be barred from competing. (Aurelien Meunier/Getty Images for International Paralympic Committee)

ATHLETES FROM RUSSIA, BELARUS BARRED FROM PARALYMPIC GAMES AS PROTESTS JEOPARDIZE 'VIABILITY,' IPC SAYS

The tribunal decision doesn't overturn the IPC's policy of not allowing Russian and