The hardest blow: the Paralympic committees of Russia and Belarus have been suspended from all activities Israel today

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has decided to immediately suspend the National Paralympic Committees of Russia (RPC) and Belarus (NPC). 

During the vote held in Berlin, 63 countries voted in favor, 39 countries voted against and 16 countries abstained for the suspension of the NPC of Russia, due to its inability to meet the membership obligations according to the organization's constitution. 

This is the strictest sanction that has been applied against the Russians so far since the beginning of the war with Ukraine, and puts into question their participation in the Paralympic Games in Paris 2024, since the criterium competitions began in recent months. 

The decision to suspend them came after IPC president Andrew Parsons revealed that other countries "may withdraw" if the Russian and Belarusian competitors are allowed to stay.

In the event that any appeal is unsuccessful, the suspension can only be lifted by a decision of the next general meeting, which is expected to take place next in the last quarter of 2023. 

Parsons said: "As IPC president, I want us to live in a world where sport unites the world in peaceful competition, allowing athletes to compete against their opponents to the best of their ability in a safe and secure environment. The situation the world of sport is facing right now is very charged and complex. I hope and pray that the conflict in Ukraine ends as soon as possible, May peace be guaranteed and no more innocent lives be lost or affected." 

As a reminder, Russian and Belarusian athletes were banned from participating in the Paralympic Winter Olympics in Beijing 2022, which began only ten days after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. 

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