IPC to exclude Russian, Belarusian athletes from Beijing Paralympics

The International Paralympic Committee said Thursday it will decline athlete entries from Russia and Belarus for the Beijing Paralympics, reversing its governing board's decision from the previous day that would have allowed them to compete as neutrals.The IPC said ensuring the safety of athletes has become "untenable" because the situation in the athlete villages is escalating, while multiple teams and athletes are threatening to boycott the Paralympics, which will open Friday."At the IPC we are very firm believers that sport and politics should not mix," IPC President Andrew Parsons said.…READ FULL ARTICLE