IPC president Andrew Parsons defends full return of Russia, Belarus as political boycotts loom over Games

While the 2026 Winter Paralympics in Milano-Cortina mark a milestone 50th anniversary, the atmosphere at the Games is undeniably charged by the full return of athletes from Russia and Belarus.

Facing backlash, International Paralympic Committee president Andrew Parsons insists it must "remain neutral" and keep the focus on the athletes, but a major focus during Friday's opening ceremony will undeniably be the absence of several boycotting nations.

The IPC invited 10 athletes from Russia and Belarus to compete at these Games with full national regalia, including flags and anthems. In response, Ukraine is boycotting the opening ceremony, and several other countries have joined them.

"We are bounded by integrity, by fairness, by all the values that we stand for, but we cannot follow political sides one or the other," Parsons told CBC Sports' Devin Heroux. "We have to remain neutral and remain focused on sport, and that's what we try to achieve here.

"We are talking about a decision made by the General Assembly. 91 members voted one way, and then we have half of the world complaining about that decision. It would have been the other way around if the decision was different."

Parsons's message to the people around the world disappointed by the decision, including some who refuse to watch at all, was centred on the athletes who earned their place in Italy.

"What I would encourage them is to focus on the sport. Watch the Paralympics because of the athletes. Don’t make a decision in not supporting, not watching, because of politics, because of the participation of a number of athletes from one country," Parsons said.

IPC president Andrew Parsons sits down with CBC's Devin Heroux ahead of 2026 Milano-Cortina Paralympic Games

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