International Paralympic Committee (IPC) lifts ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes for Milano-Cortina 2026

Key facts

• The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has officially lifted the ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes for the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympics.
• Athletes from Russia and Belarus will be permitted to compete under their national flags, and their national anthems will be played during medal ceremonies.
• The IPC confirmed that National Paralympic Committee (NPC) Russia has been awarded six slots: two in Para-alpine skiing, two in Para-cross country skiing, and two in Para-snowboard.
• NPC Belarus has been awarded four slots in total, all in the discipline of cross-country skiing.
• The decision marks the first time the Russian flag will appear at a Winter Paralympics since 2014, following previous restrictions linked to a doping scandal and the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
• The IPC clarified that this policy change applies strictly to the Paralympics, while restrictions for the 2026 Winter Olympics remain separate.