IPC switches course, bans Russian, Belarusian athletes from Winter Paralympic Games

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) announced on Wednesday that individuals from Belarus and Russia would compete as "neutral athletes" at the Winter Paralympics in Beijing that begin Friday and run through March 13. The decision drew the ire of U.K. Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries among others.

Less than 24 hours after making their initial decision, the IPC has changed its mind.

"Faced with threats of withdrawals and growing animosity in the athletes village, organizers of the Winter Paralympics on Thursday reversed course and expelled athletes from Russia and Belarus," the Associated Press and ESPN reported early Thursday morning.

IPC president Andrew Parsons explained the decision.

"The war has now come to these Games, and behind the scenes, many governments are having an influence on our cherished event," Parsons said. "We were trying to protect the Games from war."

On Monday, UEFA and FIFA officially suspended Russian national teams and clubs from official competitions, and the International Ice Hockey Federation banned Russian and Belarusian clubs and national sides from all of its competitions "until further notice."