According to sources, at the Olympics just a few weeks ago, Russian and Belarusian athletes assessed as neutral were allowed to compete under a neutral flag. In the Paralympics, which start tomorrow, different rules will apply after a vote in Seoul in September 2025. Both Russian and Belarusian athletes will be allowed to represent their countries in the Paralympics.
The decision has sparked strong reactions, and broadcasting companies in several countries have chosen to boycott the opening ceremony on Friday in protest. The exact vote counts or percentages in the September 2025 decision in Seoul have not been disclosed. " Andrew Parsons, President of the International Paralympic Committee, said, "When the members voted it through, I understood that the reactions would be strong.
Of course, reactions differ around the world depending on where you are, and as a global organization we must understand that there are different opinions in different parts of the world. " He added, "But it is a democratic world. And since the decision was democratic, one must understand that democracy is not only a good thing when it goes the way one wants.
" At the Paralympics in Paris 2024, Russian and Belarusian athletes were allowed to compete under a neutral flag. Parsons noted, "It is a good question, but not a question for me to answer. " The criteria or reasons that led to the change in rules allowing Russian and Belarusian athletes to represent their countries in the Paralympics remain unclear.