The Russian Paralympic Committee (RPC) will seek full restoration of the rights of the organization and athletes after the decision of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) to partially suspend the membership of the RPC and admit Russians to the 2024 Paralympic Games in a neutral status, according to the RPC website.

On Friday, September 29, the IPC General Assembly announced the admission of Russian athletes to the 2024 Paralympics individually and without national symbols, and also partially suspended the PRK’s membership in the organization for a period of two years. The RPC was also prohibited from holding any sporting events or competitions with the participation of other IPC members.

The Russian Paralympic Committee believes that restricting the organization’s membership in the IPC is illegal and contrary to the principles of neutrality, and the conditions for admission of Russian Paralympians are discriminatory.

— The Russian Paralympic Committee believes that the decision to partially suspend the status of the RKR and to admit athletes only in a neutral status within the framework of the individual competition is unfair. This is discrimination against the RKR and Russian athletes on the basis of nationality. It puts them at a disadvantage compared to IPC members and athletes from other countries. However, denying athletes the opportunity to demonstrate that they come from a particular country or to celebrate victory while their national anthem is played is to deny them the right to their national identity.

Restrictions on the membership rights of the RPC are illegal and contrary to the constitution and ethical rules of the IPC, since they primarily reflect the political position of the IPC.

The IPC is an international organization that should work to unite Paralympians around the world, promote Paralympic sports and protect the rights of athletes. The decision of the General Assembly is contrary to these goals and the principle of neutrality of the IPC, proclaimed by the IPC constitution. Achieving the goals of the IPC as an international organization uniting athletes around the world is impossible if the IPC declares commitment to a certain political position, since at all times contradictions arise between countries and it is not the IPC’s task to participate in resolving global political issues

The RKR is considering possible defense options and will continue to seek full restoration of its legal rights and the rights of Russian Paralympians, the statement said.

The Summer Paralympic Games will be held in Paris from August 28 to September 8, 2024.

The coach of the Russian national biathlon team, Yuri Kaminsky, considers criticism of foreign athletes who support Russia to be unfair.

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda previously signed a decree depriving world championship bronze medalist figure skater Margarita Drobiazko of Lithuanian citizenship.

— I am more worried about the hysteria that exists in Europe at the mention of Russia. But this shows their weakness. They begin to spread rot on the athletes who support us. In Lithuania, figure skater Margarita Drobyazko was deprived of citizenship for her position; in the Czech Republic, they say whatever they say about hockey players performing in Russia, Kaminsky told the Championship.

In June, the Chairman of the Seimas of Lithuania, Victoria Cmilyte-Nielsen, in an interview with local media, said that the procedure for revoking Drobyazko’s citizenship had already actually been launched. The reason is the figure skater’s participation in Tatiana Navka’s show.

Drobyazko was born in Moscow, but after the collapse of the USSR she began to compete for Lithuania together with Povilas Vanagas. Together they won bronze at the World Championships.