Over 88 Russian athletes express interest in participating in the Paralympics under a neutral banner, surpassing their Olympic counterparts.
At the Parisian Paralympics, a whopping 88 Russian athletes are all set to join the competition under a neutral banner, which is a notable increase compared to their participation at the latest Olympics. The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) revealed on Monday that eight Belarusian athletes will also be joining the Games, commencing on Wednesday. In comparison, only 15 Russians and 17 Belarusians took part in the Olympics.
Much like the Olympics, Russian and Belarusian athletes will be banned from attending the opening ceremony, and their national anthem will not be played in case of a victory. Initially, entire teams were excluded, but individual athletes who passed a screening by an external commission appointed by the IPC were given permission to compete.
Russia's participation under its native flag was denied due to the country's hostile actions against Ukraine. Any form of support for the conflict in Ukraine and any association with one's own country's military were considered taboo.
Despite their exclusion from the Olympic Games due to Russia's actions against Ukraine, several Russian athletes will still participate in the Olympic games, albeit under a neutral banner. This participation in the Olympic games is a significant improvement from their last participation, showcasing their determination to compete on the global stage.
