Categories: World

Russian Paralympians cannot use flag at Paris games

close Video

Fox News Flash top headlines for September 29

Fox News Flash top headlines are here. Check out what’s clicking on Foxnews.com.

Russian athletes competing at the 2024 Paralympics in Paris will not be allowed to use their nation’s flag. 

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) voted Friday on the eligibility of Russian athletes, allowing individuals to compete under neutral banners. 

Russia has been banned from the Olympic and Paralympic communities since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022. 

The specific parameters for athletes from Russian ally Belarus are also yet to be decided. 

RUSSIA, BELARUS NOT OFFICIALLY INVITED TO 2024 PARIS OLYMPICS, IOC SAYS

Paris Olympics 2024 logo on the one of the official t-shirts on display in a shop at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport in Roissy-en-France, France.  (Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

The IPC voted Friday not to fully ban Belorussian athletes but has not yet decided if they can compete representing their country.

The Russian Olympic Committee is not boycotting the Paris games and has voiced support for athletes wishing to compete as neutral individuals.

INTERNATIONAL PARALYMPIC COMMITTEE OVERTURNS SUSPENSION OF RUSSIA, BELARUS MEMBERSHIPS, ATHLETES STILL BARRED

Andrew Parsons, President of the International Paralympic Committee speaks during the Opening Ceremony on day one of the Para Athletics World Championship Paris 2023 at Stade Charlety in Paris, France.  ((Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images))

“Boycotting the Games leads to nowhere,” said Russian Olympic Committee President Stanislav Pozdnyakov, according to The Moscow Times.

He added, “We live together in a free state. Every person can, if they so wish, take the path.”

International bodies have struggled to accommodate Russian and Belorussian athletes’ participation in the games since their ban was imposed.

This photograph shows the Olympic Phryges mascots on the Alexandre III bridge ahead of the 2023 World Para Triathlon – duathlon format Olympic Games Test Event in Paris. (EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP via Getty Images)

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

In anticipation of the Olympic and Paralympic games, the Ukrainian government loosened restrictions on participating in sporting events with Russian athletes.

In a July decision, the Ukrainian government said it would be narrowing the focus of its ban on sports matches against Russian competitors.

Moving forward, Ukrainian athletes will be allowed to compete against Russian athletes not representing their home country.

Timothy Nerozzi is a writer for Fox News Digital. You can follow him on Twitter @timothynerozzi and can email him at timothy.nerozzi@fox.com

Share

Recent Posts

1 billion identity records exposed in ID verification data leak

Things like your name, home address, date of birth and even your Social Security number…

1 week ago

Android fixes 129 security flaws in major phone update

Most people never think about Android security updates until a headline like this appears. Suddenly,…

1 week ago

Burger King AI listens to workers

The next time you pull up to the drive-thru at Burger King, you may notice…

1 week ago

Fake Google Gemini AI pushes ‘Google Coin’ crypto scam

You may think you can spot a crypto scam from a mile away. But what…

1 week ago

Tesla builds a car with no steering wheel. Now what?

The first Tesla Cybercab has officially rolled off the floor at Tesla Gigafactory Texas. And…

1 week ago

Meta smart glasses privacy concerns grow

Smart glasses promise a future where technology blends into everyday life. You can ask a…

2 weeks ago