Russian Paralympic Committee’s rights conditionally reinstated

The International Paralympic Committee announced today the reinstatement of the RPC’s membership in this organisation — for the time being conditionally, until 15 March 2019, when this decision will officially take effect. Also, the Russian Paralympic Committee was presented with a number of requirements that must be strictly followed up to December 2022 to preserve its status as an IPC member.

Thus, at the moment, the period of the suspension of the Russian Paralympic Committee from participation in international competitions, which lasted exactly two and a half years, has ended. The sanctions were based on the report of the Richard McLaren Commission, as well as the status of non-compliance of RUSADA with the World Anti-Doping Code. Our team missed out on the Paralympic Games 2016 and 2018.

Andrew Parsons, IPC President:

— Now we are firmly confident that the suspension of the RPC’s membership is no longer a necessary measure. We need to move on and find compromises that will help protect the integrity of the Paralympic movement, do credit to the reforms in the RPC and allow the Russian people to be part of our organisation. However, since Russia did not recognise the findings of Professor McLaren’s report, we decided to lift the RPC’s suspension only under certain conditions.

Stanislav Pozdnyakov, President of the ROC:

— On behalf of our entire Olympic family, I would like to congratulate our colleagues from the Russian Paralympic Committee on the long-awaited reinstatement of the RPC’s rights. The decision will officially take effect in March, and it comes with a number of conditions. Yes, a very important step has been made, but there is still a lot of work to be done in order to fulfil IPC regulations. Nevertheless, the main thing is that now our Paralympic athletes again have the opportunity to fully participate in all international competitions, in the Paralympic Games. In this regard, I would like to wish them new victories and achievements!