Paralympics 2024: Para-athletes to be vetted for Ukraine war support

Paralympic athletes will be vetted to make sure they have not supported the war in Ukraine or are contracted with the military, the International Paralympic Committee has said.

Para-athletes from Russia and Belarus will be allowed to compete at the Paris Paralympics from 28 August as neutrals.

They will not be allowed to wear their national colours on their uniforms.

Medal wins will not be recorded on the official table and should they win gold the Paralympic anthem will be played.

Under regulations published by the IPC on Wednesday, it was also stated neutral Para-athletes will not march in the opening ceremony or have a flagbearer in the closing ceremony on 8 September.

"Between now and the Paralympic Games, the IPC will appoint an independent external body to assess the eligibility of athletes and support personnel. Athletes and support personnel who have actively supported the war in Ukraine will not be eligible to be entered into the Paralympic Games," the IPC said.

"Neither will those who are contracted to the Russian/Belarusian military or national security agencies."

It comes after the IPC voted in September 2023 against a total ban on Russian and Belarusian Para-athletes.

Russia and Belarus had been suspended from Paralympic competition since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022.