Russian athletes suspended by IPC from Winter Games
By Geraint Hughes
Last Updated: 30/01/18 11:09am
The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) will maintain the suspension of Russian athletes from the forthcoming Winter Games in Pyeongchang.
The IPC received an update on the Russian Paralympic Committee's progress towards being reinstated on Saturday, in the wake of its suspension for a state-sponsored doping programme at the 2014 Games in Sochi.
As a result of that update, the ban still stands, but the IPC is to allow Russian Para athletes who meet strict conditions to compete in five sports under the name 'Neutral Paralympic Athlete'.
The IPC said in a statement that "it is maintaining the suspension of the Russian Paralympic Committee (RPC)".
"However, in recognition of the progress made by the RPC in improving its anti-doping activities, it will allow eligible Russian Para athletes who meet strict conditions to compete in five sports under the name Neutral Paralympic Athlete (NPA)."
At next month's Winter Olympics, Russia have been banned by the IOC from competing as a nation - however, Russian athletes who go through an independent drug testing regime are allowed to compete as 'Olympic Athletes from Russia'.
So far, 169 Russian athletes have been invited by the IOC to compete at Pyeongchang 2018.
