Kiri

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European Paralympic Committee

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European Paralympic Committee (EPC) Position Statement on the participation of athletes and support personnel from Russia and Belarus at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games: Clarity on neutrality

Statement agreed and endorsed by the EPC Extraordinary General Assembly, held on 8 March 2024.

The European Paralympic Committee (EPC) and the majority of its community condemn the war in Ukraine in the strongest possible terms and stand in solidarity with the Ukrainian Paralympic Committee and people. It is a tragedy for millions of people who have lost friends and loved ones and who have been displaced, including athletes who not only have to face personal losses but are also unable to train in their home country or travel to international events. We sincerely thank and recognise the efforts of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) alongside all the national governments, National Paralympic Committees (NPCs) and sports organisations who have provided Ukrainian athletes with safe havens and support on their road to Paris 2024. In particular in Europe, many of us have witnessed first- hand the catastrophic effect the conflict is having on athletes and have rallied to try to minimise its effects on Para sports.

Against this background, our view is that athletes and support personnel from Russia and Belarus should not be able to compete – as neutrals or otherwise – at international competitions including the Paralympic Games. However as a democratic body and Members of the Paralympic family, we also respect the decisions made by the IPC General Assembly (29 September, 2023) with regards to the partial Membership suspensions of the Russia and Belarus NPCs, and the participation of athletes and support personnel as neutrals and on an individual basis. We do so with the expectation that the clear and transparent conditions are met by everyone.

Following extensive collaboration as well as discussions at an Extraordinary General Assembly on 8 March 2024, the EPC Membership agreed the following:

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Neutrality regulations

We acknowledge the contents of the recently pubished IPC document titled 'Paris 2024 Paralympic Games - Neutral Athlete and Support Personnel Regulations' that came into effect on 6 March 2024. We note the statement under paragraph 5. that "Athletes and support personnel who have actively supported the war in Ukraine will not be eligible to be entered into the Paralympic Games". However we strongly believe that this should be verified by the athletes and support personnel signing a declaration to confirm this position. The wording would include the following: I have not and do not intend to express support for the invasion of Ukraine.

Furthermore we acknowledge the IPC's commitment to carry out an independent, external assessment of the eligibility of each athlete and support personnel against the criteria in paragraphs 5 as above, and paragraph 6 (Athletes and support personnel who are contracted to the Russian/Belarusian military or national security agencies will not be eligible to be entered into the Paralympic Games) of the IPC document and further clarity on this process is important to give confidence to the membership.

We recognise and support International Federations who have already adopted these requirements into their own procedures and request that the sports governed by the IPC (IPC Para sports) immediately enact the requirements as stated in the IPC document, the additional signed declarations and the independent external assessments.

Anti-Doping

In terms of anti-doping, we note that, following assurances from the IPC, as a Major Event Organization, International Federation and signatory of the World Anti-Doping Code, the IPC has a mandate to implement a testing programme before and during the Paralympic Games that ensure the values of clean sport are upheld.

We request that the IPC Pre-Games Anti-Doping Expert Group publishes the results and testing statistics from samples analysed from Neutral Paralympic Athletes and that these are verified in a WADA-accredited laboratory outside of Russia.

Logistics, safety and security

We recognise that the IPC is working with COJOP who are in turn responsible for the safety and security of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, and that briefings will be available for stakeholders to assure them of security measures being put in place, as well as information made available through other points of contact.

We request that the IPC and COJOP investigate housing neutral athletes and support personnel outside of the main Athletes’ Village, and give them access to a separate, secure means of transport to ensure everyone’s safety and welfare for the entire period of the Paralympics.

Tel. +43 1890 067-610 Fax +43 1890 067-690

European Paralympic Committee

www.europaralympic.org saskia.kanfer@europaralympic.org

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Olympic Truce

We note that the UN General Assembly overwhelmingly approved the call for a truce for Paris 2024, starting seven days before the start of the Olympic Games on 26 July to seven days after the Paralympic Games close on 8 September. The IPC's actions regarding breaches of the Truce should be made at this time to minimise disruption to the Paralympic Games. We would expect that any breach of the Olympic Truce would result in the exclusion of such athletes as previously occurred.

The IPC will recognise the huge depth of feeling of NPCs displayed at Beijing 2022 Games. As is widely recognised, each EPC member retains the right to decide on their own participation in any competition including the Paralympic Games.

Conclusion

We all recognise the unique achievements of the whole Paralympic Movement within the field of human endeavour and know that the Paralympic Games can be a positive force for change. The movement has always been united in advocating for fairness, equality and equity. The athletes we represent have real and often daily experiences of those values not being upheld. We are motivated – as ever - to provide the best possible platform to change that.

Paris 2024 Paralympic Games Neutral Athlete and Support Personnel Regulations

1. These regulations apply to the participation of Para athletes and support personnel (including, but not limited to, team officials) entered by the National Paralympic Committees (NPCs) of Russia and Belarus in the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games (Paralympic Games).

2. Subject to compliance with these regulations, NPC Russia and NPC Belarus will be permitted to enter their licensed and eligible athletes into the Paralympic Games. However, such athletes (and any support personnel) will not represent their suspended National Paralympic Committee, but instead will participate in an individual capacity as neutral athletes/support personnel.

3. NPC Russia and NPC Belarus are required to fully comply with the terms of these regulations as a condition of their athletes and support personnel participating in the Paralympic Games. Each NPC will procure that their athletes and support personnel comply at all times with these regulations.

A. Participation of neutral athletes and support personnel

Eligibility

4. NPC Russia and NPC Belarus may only enter licensed and eligible athletes and support personnel into the Paralympic Games in an individual capacity and as neutral athletes/support personnel. Each NPC must notify the IPC in advance, by such deadline(s) as specified by the IPC, of its proposed neutral athletes and support personnel (each of whom the NPC considers to meet the conditions in these regulations), along with such other information as requested by the IPC. The IPC will process applications as soon as reasonably practicable, but cannot guarantee doing so by any particular deadline.

5. Athletes and support personnel who have actively supported the war in Ukraine will not be eligible to be entered into the Paralympic Games.

6. Athletes and support personnel who are contracted to the Russian/Belarusian military or national security agencies will not be eligible to be entered into the Paralympic Games.

7. The IPC will carry out an independent, external assessment of the eligibility of each athlete and support personnel against the criteria in paragraphs 5 and 6, above.

8. NPC Russia and NPC Belarus may not enter athletes and support personnel in team sports (as defined by the IPC) or team events (as defined by the relevant International Federation).

9. Under no circumstances will officials, members or other representatives of any Russian/Belarusian Ministry or Government or the Governing Board of NPC Russia or NPC Belarus be permitted to attend the Paralympic Games in any capacity, including as support personnel. No accreditation or any other access device to accredited areas will be granted to any such persons, and such persons will not be permitted to access any accredited areas, including any athlete village and family lounge or equivalent.

Event rules and regulations 10. All provisions in the respective sport/event rules and regulations that

are applicable to athletes/support personnel participating in the Paralympic Games will apply equally to neutral athletes/support personnel entered by NPC Russia and NPC Belarus. For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in these regulations will be construed so as to permit, excuse or justify non-compliance with any of those requirements.

11. The relevant qualification regulations for the Paralympic Games will apply to NPC Russia and NPC Belarus, including in relation to athlete eligibility, qualification, slot allocation (including allocation of bipartite invitation slots), reallocation and redistribution.

B. Protocol for neutral athletes and support personnel Neutral athlete/support personnel uniform, name and designation 12. All neutral athletes and support personnel will participate in uniforms

approved by the IPC. In that respect, all uniforms for neutral athletes

and support personnel must be submitted to the IPC for inspection and approval prior to the beginning of the Paralympic Games and by such deadline(s) as specified by the IPC, and must abide by any direction or ruling by the IPC concerning the uniform to be worn.

13. During their participation in the Paralympic Games, all neutral athletes

and support personnel are prohibited at all times from wearing a uniform that includes any national colour(s), flag, name (in any language or format), emblem, symbol, designation (e.g. RUS, RPC, BLR, BPC), insignia, slogan, or the like of Russia/Belarus or the Russian/Belarusian military (including, without limitation, the “Z” symbol, the Saint George colours, and any other military branding and slogans), or otherwise bears any resemblance to the team uniform and/or flag of NPC Russia/Russia or NPC Belarus/Belarus, or that includes any name, emblem, symbol, insignia, slogan, or the like of any Russian or Belarusian company or other organisation or entity.

14. During their participation in the Paralympic Games, all neutral athletes and support personnel will be referred to for official purposes as “Neutral Paralympic Athletes”, with designation “NPA”.

Neutral athlete/support personnel appearance and apparel 15. For neutral athletes and support personnel, no national colour(s), flag,

name (in any language or format), national emblem, symbol, designation (e.g. RUS, RPC, BLR, BPC), insignia, slogan, or the like of Russia/Belarus or the Russian/Belarusian military (including, without limitation, the “Z” symbol, the Saint George colours, and any other military branding and slogans), or any name, emblem, symbol, insignia, slogan, or the like of any Russian or Belarusian company or other organisation or entity, will appear on their body (including without limitation hair colouring, skin colouring, jewellery, hair shaving and nail varnishes), accessories or apparel (including without limitation clothing, jewellery, hairbands, shoes, stickers, patches and bags) at any time while in the vicinity of any venue associated with the Paralympic Games, including but not limited to any official venue, any competition or non- competition venue, any classification venue, warm-up area, call room, training venue/grounds/facilities, hotels, athlete village, international broadcast centre, main press centre, any other accredited or ticketed facility or event transport, and at the port of entry to/departure from the country in which the Paralympic Games is held.

16. National mascots of any kind are not permitted.

Equipment, mobility and medical devices 17. No national colour(s), flag, name (in any language or format), national

emblem, symbol, designation (e.g. RUS, RPC, BLR, BPC), insignia, slogan, or the like of Russia/Belarus or the Russian/Belarusian military (including, without limitation, the “Z” symbol, the Saint George colours, and any other military branding and slogans), or any name, emblem, symbol, insignia, slogan, or the like of any Russian or Belarusian company or other organisation or entity, will appear on any sport equipment, mobility or medical devices (including without limitation bandages, tapes and stickers) at any time while in the vicinity of any venue associated with the Paralympic Games, including but not limited to any official venue, any competition or non-competition venue, any classification venue, warm-up area, call room, training venue/grounds/facilities, hotels, athlete village, international broadcast centre, main press centre, any other accredited or ticketed facility or event transport, and at the port of entry to/departure from the country in which the Paralympic Games is held.

Flags, anthem and statement(s) 18. No flags, banners, posters, signs or the like bearing the national

colour(s), name, flag, emblem, symbol, designation (e.g. RUS, RPC, BLR, BPC), insignia, slogan, or the like of Russia/Belarus or the Russian/Belarusian military (including, without limitation, the “Z” symbol, the Saint George colours, and any other military branding and slogans), or any name, emblem, symbol, insignia, slogan, or the like of any Russian or Belarusian company or other organisation or entity, will be taken into the vicinity of any venue associated with the Paralympic Games, including but not limited to any official venue, any competition or non-competition venue, any classification venue, warm-up area, call room, training venue/grounds/facilities, hotels, athlete village, international broadcast centre, main press centre, any other accredited or ticketed facility or event transport, and at the port of entry to/departure from the country in which the Paralympic Games is held.

19. The national anthem of Russia/Belarus (or any anthem linked to

Russia/Belarus) will not be played, sung, whistled or similar at any time

within the vicinity of any venue associated with the Paralympic Games, including but not limited to any official venue, any competition or non- competition venue, any classification venue, warm-up area, call room, training venue/grounds/facilities, hotels, athlete village, international broadcast centre, main press centre, any other accredited or ticketed facility or event transport, and at the port of entry to/departure from the country in which the Paralympic Games is held.

20. No statement(s) will be given, written, broadcast, posted or otherwise

distributed in any format during the Paralympic Games by any neutral athlete/support personnel on behalf of anyone other than themselves as individuals.

Ceremonies 21. Paragraphs 12 to 20 above will apply to participation in any medal

ceremony. In addition, should a neutral athlete place first, second or third in any event that uses anthems and/or flags during such ceremonies, the IPC anthem will be played (if the athlete placed first) and an NPA flag (determined by the IPC) used during the ceremony instead of the anthem and/or flag of Russia/Belarus.

22. NPC Russia, NPC Belarus, and any neutral athlete delegation will not be

listed in any medals table (as neutral athletes will participate in an individual capacity only).

23. Neutral athletes and support personnel will not march in the opening or

closing ceremony. Team and technical meetings 24. Paragraphs 12 to 20 above will apply to participation in any team or

technical meeting at the Paralympic Games.

C. Conduct

25. All neutral athletes and support personnel must comply with the requirement of neutrality at all times during their participation in the Paralympic Games and must refrain from any conduct that is inconsistent with their status as an individual neutral athlete or support personnel (for example, statements relating to the Russian/Belarusian

military). For the avoidance of doubt, these regulations and the requirement of neutrality override the IPC’s general rules regarding demonstrations and protests.

26. All neutral athletes and support personnel are expected at all times to demonstrate the highest standards of behaviour during their participation in the Paralympic Games, both on and off the field of play. In addition, they will act at all times with the utmost good faith towards representatives of the IPC, the respective International Federation, the local organising committee, officials, security personnel, other athletes, other athlete support personnel and each other, and spectators.

D. Compliance/sanctions

27. If it is determined at any time that an athlete or support personnel has been entered to compete or has competed in the Paralympic Games without having met the conditions set out in these regulations (or has otherwise breached such conditions), the IPC may disqualify the individual and/or team and/or delegation from the Paralympic Games (including, for the avoidance of doubt, disqualifying the full neutral athlete/support personnel delegation entered by NPC Russia or NPC Belarus from the Paralympic Games) with immediate effect, and may disqualify all results obtained by the individual/team/delegation in the Paralympic Games, with all resulting consequences, including forfeiture of any medals, ranking points, prize money, or other rewards. In addition, all such individuals may be required by the IPC to return their accreditation for the Paralympic Games and leave all Paralympic Games venues within timeframes specified by the IPC.

28. Paragraph 27 is without prejudice to any further consequences that

might arise under any other applicable rules and regulations. 29. In any case, where the IPC has determined that a neutral athlete or

support personnel meets the conditions set out in these regulations, it may reconsider that determination at any time where it deems it appropriate to do so (for example, if new facts or new evidence emerge).

E. Costs

30. NPC Russia or NPC Belarus (as appropriate) must reimburse the IPC for any costs incurred by the IPC in imposing, enforcing, monitoring, assessing compliance with and/or implementing these regulations. In particular, all financial obligations related to the participation of neutral athletes and support personnel in the Paralympic Games, including any IPC costs related to the implementation of such measures, will be borne by NPC Russia or NPC Belarus (as appropriate). No such costs will be borne by the IPC.

31. In addition to paragraph 30, NPC Russia and NPC Belarus are required to pay the costs of the independent external assessment process in paragraph 7 in relation to their respective athletes and support personnel.

F. Term and miscellaneous

32. These regulations will come into effect on 6 March 2024.

33. These regulations may be amended by the IPC Governing Board from time to time, as it sees fit.

34. In case of conflict, these regulations will supersede any other provisions governing the participation of athletes and support personnel in the Paralympic Games (including any previous versions of these regulations).

35. The IPC will have the discretion to decide on any matters not provided for in these regulations, and the IPC's decision on such matters will be final and binding.