Media advisory: IPC to provide update on Russian Paralympic Committee’s suspension

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) will hold a press conference in London, Great Britain, at 10:30 GMT on Friday 22 December 2017 to update the media on the progress of the Russian Paralympic Committee (RPC) in meeting the reinstatement criteria required to have its membership suspension lifted.

Speaking at the press conference will be IPC President Andrew Parsons.

Media registration is required for participation in the press conference. To attend the press conference, please send the following details to: craig.spence@paralympic.org by Thursday 21 December at 12:00 GMT.

•Name

•Media outlet

•E-mail address

Press conference details

•Subject: The IPC to provide an update on the Russian Paralympic Committee’s suspension

•Date and time: Friday 22 December 2017

•Location: Hilton London Paddington (Great Western 2 Suite), 146 Praed Street, London, W2 1EE.

•Media reception: 10:00 GMT

•Press conference begins: 10:30-11:00 GMT

•One-to-one interviews: Are available with the IPC President after the press conference

•Participants: Andrew Parsons, IPC President, and Craig Spence, IPC Media and Communications Director.

Notes

•Owing to venue space limitations, only one still camera and one ENG camera are permitted per media organisation

•Audio source plugs will be available

•No interpretation will be provided

Background

The RPC was suspended on 7 August 2016 due to its inability to fulfil its IPC membership responsibilities and obligations, in particular its obligation to comply with the IPC Anti-Doping Code and the World Anti-Doping Code (to which it is also a signatory).

In September 2017, the IPC Governing Board maintained the RPC’s suspension and highlighted seven criteria that still need to be met. These are:

•The finalisation of the RPC Anti-Doping Rules, to be approved by the Taskforce

•The approval of the RPC’s constitution by the IPC membership department

•Completion of all budget-related aspects of the reinstatement criteria

•The provision and confirmation of certain additional information by the RPC regarding personnel and governance (reinstatement criteria 10 and 14.2), as specified by the Taskforce

•The provision of further information relating to the composition of the RPC board, to be defined by the Taskforce (reinstatement criterion 12)

•The full reinstatement of the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)

•The acknowledgment and acceptance of the McLaren Report

In September, IPC Governing Board also put in place a limited interim measure for Russian athletes to compete as neutrals in qualification events across four sports for the PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games, subject to meeting certain published conditions.

This limited interim measure is intended to preserve the ability of the RPC to enter its qualified athletes into the PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games should it have its suspension lifted in time.

The winter World Para Sports where Russian athletes meeting the pre-determined conditions are allowed to compete as neutrals in are alpine skiing, biathlon, cross-country skiing and snowboard. Under the sport rules for Para ice hockey, Russia has already missed the opportunity to qualify for PyeongChang 2018.