It added: “[We] condemn this disgraceful decision of the IPC general assembly, which discredits the International Paralympic Committee, and call on all national Paralympic committees worldwide against the admission of those who encroach upon the fundamental human right – the right to life.”Despite the IPC vote, athletes will still need their individual sporting federations to lift their own bans in order to represent their countries.For example, while the IPC decision would allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete under their own flags at the Winter Paralympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo in March 2026, the bans from the international bodies that govern the six sports on the schedule in Italy would currently prevent them from doing so.Parsons, who was speaking at the Para Athletics World Championships in New Delhi, India, added: “Decisions made by the general assembly are made by more than 200 members. They took the decision – my job is to implement that decision.”Many people know my personal position. I don’t think it’s worth mentioning now. I work for the IPC; I need to follow what is decided by the membership.”History will tell – I don’t think we are on one side or the other; we are sports organisations. It’s something I don’t think is fair that only the world of sport has to be the one trying to solve issues when it comes to politics. “I think politicians and world leaders have the power to make it happen, not us. Not sport administrators, not athletes.”
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IPC ban on Russia lifted: We know there will be a reaction – Andrew Parsons
