Italy opposes Paralympics allowing Russia and Belarus to use flags, anthems

"Olympic hosts Italy called for a reversal of the decision to let 10 Russian and Belarusian athletes compete with national flags and anthems at next month's Paralympic Games. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani and Sports Minister Andrea Abodi urged the International Paralympic Committee to reconsider its stance due to Russia's four-year-old invasion of Ukraine, saying on Thursday it contradicted the Olympic spirit."

"The Italian government expressed its absolute opposition to the IPC's ruling in September, they said in a statement late on Wednesday, adding that Rome's stance echoed that of 33 other countries and the European Commission. Russia's continued violation of the truce and Olympic and Paralympic ideals, supported by Belarus, is incompatible with the participation of their athletes in the Games, except as neutral individual athletes, the statement said."

"Russia's embassy in Italy said it was unacceptable to target athletes with disabilities. The harsh and undiplomatic stance taken by the two Italian politicians, backed by the authority of the government they represent, is offensive and deserves widespread condemnation, it said on Telegram. Russia and its ally Belarus, which was used as a staging area for attacking Ukraine, were banned from Paralympics competitions after the 2022 invasion but regained full rights in the IPC in a vote by members last year."

Olympic host Italy urged the International Paralympic Committee to reverse its decision allowing 10 Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete with national flags and anthems at the Paralympic Games. Ministers Antonio Tajani and Andrea Abodi said the move contradicted the Olympic spirit because of Russia's four-year invasion of Ukraine. Rome said its opposition echoed 33 other countries and the European Commission. The statement said Russia's continued violation of the truce, supported by Belarus, made participation incompatible except as neutral individuals. Russia's embassy condemned targeting athletes with disabilities and called Italy's stance offensive. Russia and Belarus were banned after 2022 but regained IPC rights last year; some federations still maintain bans while legal appeals have overturned some sport-specific bans, and a limited number of athletes are competing as neutral independents at current Games.

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