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sports1d ago
Why Russia can compete in the Paralympics but Olympic ban remains
- The IPC reinstated the Russian Paralympic Committee, allowing Russia and Belarus to compete under their banner at the 2026 Winter Paralympics.
- Six Russian and four Belarusian athletes will compete in the 2026 Games under the allowed status.
- The Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled that qualified Russian athletes can compete under the Russian flag rather than as Individual Neutral Athletes.
- The IPC seeks to make the Games as apolitical as possible amid debates on policy consistency.
- The Paralympics and Olympics are run by separate organizations, which explains differing treatment by the two events.
- The IOC banned Russia from the Olympics due to its invasion of Ukraine, leading to the absence of a national flag in the Games.
- The term 'Individual Neutral Athlete' (AIN) was used for Russian participants at the 2026 Winter Olympics, with certain restrictions.
- Flags and national symbols are back in the Paralympic village for Russian athletes, signaling a shift from the Olympic ban stance.
- The decision invites Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete under national banners at the 2026 Winter Paralympics.
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