IPC reverses decision to allow Russia and Belarus athletes to compete in Paralympics

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Russian and Belarusian athletes have been barred from competing in the Beijing Winter Paralympic Games, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) announced on Thursday.

The decision comes a day after IPC said it would allow athletes from Russia and Belarus to compete when the Games begin on Friday, but only as neutral athletes with colours, flags and other national symbols removed.

"Following a specially convened meeting, the IPC Governing Board has decided to refuse the athlete entries from the RPC and NPC Belarus for the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games," the IPC said in a statement.

"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.

"What is clear is that the rapidly escalating situation has now put us in a unique and impossible position so close to the start of the Games."

Russia's military action in Ukraine has seen major sports bodies across the glob stop its athletes, clubs and national teams from competitions until further notice.

The IPC’s announcement on Wednesday was met by criticism and the threat of a boycott.

In a statement on Thursday morning, IPC president Andrew Parsons said: “In taking our decision yesterday, we were looking at the long-term health and survival of the Paralympic Movement. We are fiercely proud of the principles and values that have made the Movement what it is today.

“However, what is clear is that the rapidly escalating situation has now put us in a unique and impossible position so close to the start of the Games. Yesterday we said we would continue to listen, and that is what we are doing.”

“In the last 12 hours, an overwhelming