The 2 nations had been banned following the invasion of Ukraine, however had their rights restored final 12 months.
Printed On 19 Feb 2026
Olympic hosts Italy known as for a reversal of the choice to let 10 Russian and Belarusian athletes compete with nationwide flags and anthems at subsequent month’s Paralympic Video games.
Overseas Minister Antonio Tajani and Sports activities Minister Andrea Abodi urged the Worldwide Paralympic Committee to rethink its stance resulting from Russia’s four-year-old invasion of Ukraine, saying on Thursday it contradicted the Olympic spirit.
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The Italian authorities expressed its “absolute opposition” to the IPC’s ruling in September, they mentioned in a press release late on Wednesday, including that Rome’s stance echoed that of 33 different nations and the European Fee.
“Russia’s continued violation of the truce and Olympic and Paralympic beliefs, supported by Belarus, is incompatible with the participation of their athletes within the Video games, besides as impartial particular person athletes,” the assertion mentioned.
Russia’s embassy in Italy mentioned it was unacceptable to focus on athletes with disabilities. “The cruel and undiplomatic stance taken by the 2 Italian politicians, backed by the authority of the federal government they symbolize, is offensive and deserves widespread condemnation,” it mentioned on Telegram.
Russia and its ally Belarus, which was used as a staging space for attacking Ukraine, have been banned from Paralympics competitions after the 2022 invasion however regained full rights within the IPC in a vote by members final 12 months.
Worldwide federations for every sport on the Paralympic Video games programme had mentioned they might preserve bans on athletes from these nations, however Russia and Belarus received an enchantment with the Courtroom of Arbitration for Sport again in December towards the Worldwide Ski and Snowboard Federation.
A restricted variety of Russian and Belarusian athletes are competing as impartial independents with out flags or anthems on the ongoing Winter Video games, with Olympic Committees of each nations nonetheless sanctioned by the Worldwide Olympic Committee.
An Italian ministerial supply denied a report within the newspaper La Repubblica suggesting that Tajani may transfer to dam visas for Russians. “The Italian authorities wouldn’t take any motion to dam visas for athletes or their entourage if their participation was confirmed,” the supply mentioned.
The Winter Paralympics run from March 6- 15.
