Blog #6 - Ban of Russia and Belarus from Paralympic Games

Sofia Torrie

Dr. Sowers

GSS-2117-001 Disability and Sports

9 March 2026

 


    When it comes to the argument of whether or not I think the ban of Russia and Belarus from the last few Paralympic Games is fair or not, I would say that I can see why they were banned, but do I think it is completely fair for the athletes? No. The ban of Russia and Belarus is a stance against the war, with Belarus showing Russia support of what they are doing to Ukraine. The Paralympics taking a stance against them and showing that they will not support those actions is a big step, and it is a strong step. The Paralympics is showing that they do not support the war, when a lot of athletes and countries may boycott the Paralympics if they were allowed to participate. I think that what they are doing sends a strong message and it shows that they are in support of what is right and fair.



    On the other hand, I understand why the Paralympics is doing what they are doing, but at the same time, the athletes themselves may not support what their country is doing. They did allow the athletes to participate under a neutral flag, which still allows them to participate but they cannot represent their homeland. The Paralympics was created for fairness and for inclusion of all people, and this may contradict what they created the games for. I think that the IPC is making the right decision because it protects the athletes participating, and it also shows that they will not support a war that is destroying a country as a whole. Paralympic politics: how Russia, Belarus and Israel sparked opening ceremony boycotts



    I understand what the IPC is doing with the ban of Russia and Belarus, but the athletes have been training for their whole lives for these events. I think that if they were to host an event somewhere else would not be right, and I think that by allowing them to still participate in the Paralympic Games under a neutral flag is the best decision for now. I do not think that by hosting a separate event for Russia and Belarus would make sense because it could potentially cause a great deal of backlash and people will boycott these events. Ukraine officials to boycott Winter Paralympics for letting Russians compete under their flag

    In my opinion, I do believe that the IPC is doing the right thing by banning Russia and Belarus for the security of the other countries participating. I think that if the IPC did not ban them, a lot of countries would boycott the Paralympic Games because they believe that the IPC is not doing enough to ensure the safety of their athletes, as well as boycotting because they do not agree with what is happening. 





Resources:

Jack Anderson                          Professor of Sports Law. “Paralympic Politics: How Russia, Belarus and Israel Sparked Opening Ceremony Boycotts.” The Conversation, 5 Mar. 2026, theconversation.com/paralympic-politics-how-russia-belarus-and-israel-sparked-opening-ceremony-boycotts-276751#:~:text=While%20the%20IPC%20initially%20imposed,of%20both%20Russia%20and%20Belarus. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.

“Ukraine to Boycott Winter Paralympics over Russians Competing under Their Flag.” NBCNews.Com, NBCUniversal News Group, 18 Feb. 2026, www.nbcnews.com/world/ukraine/ukraine-boycott-winter-paralympics-russians-competing-flag-belarus-rcna259525. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.

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