Paralympics' Vote To Lift Russian Suspension 'Bold Step' As Conflict Rages: Ex-IOC Executive

The International Paralympic Committee's decision to lift the temporary suspension of Russia and Belarus is a "bold step" but "many will argue it is premature" while the conflict continues, a former IOC executive told AFP.

The vote at the IPC's general assembly in Seoul on Saturday was a close-run thing but the narrow majority of 51.7% potentially opens the way for Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete under their own flags at the Winter Paralympics in Milan-Cortina next year.