Paralympics body eases Russian ban

Russian athletes in four sports will be allowed to attempt to qualify as neutrals for the Winter Paralympics in Pyeongchang in March.

The International Paralympic Committee has eased a ban on Russian athletes, allowing them to compete in qualifying events for next year's winter games in South Korea.

The IPC banned all Russian competitors from last year's summer Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro after World Anti-Doping Agency investigators accused Russia of a vast cover-up of drug use, including in disabled sport.

Wednesday's new ruling allows Russians to "compete as neutrals" in alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, biathlon and snowboard qualifying events. There is no decision yet on whether Russia's ban will be lifted for the Winter Paralympics in Pyeongchang next March.

The IPC says Russia must still fulfil seven key demands. Those include accepting WADA's findings, reforming the national drug-testing agency and changing how Russian Paralympic sport is administered.


Share

1 min read

Published

Source: AAP



Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world