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Athletes from Russia and Belarus will not be allowed to compete at the 2022 Winter Paralympics in Beijing after the International Paralympic Committee reversed its original decision.

The IPC was heavily criticised when, following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, it initially said it would allow the athletes to compete as neutrals.

 
A statement said the "situation in the athlete villages" was "untenable".

The Games' opening ceremony takes place on Friday.

 
IPC president Andrew Parsons said an "overwhelming number of members" had spoken to the IPC and said they would not compete in the Winter Paralympics should athletes from Russia and Belarus be allowed to take part.

Parsons described the Russian and Belarusian athletes affected as "victims of your governments' actions".

"We are very firm believers that sport and politics should not mix," Parsons added.

"However, by no fault of its own the war has now come to these Games and behind the scenes many governments are having an influence on our cherished event.

"Ensuring the safety and security of athletes is of paramount importance to us and the situation in the athlete villages is escalating and has now become untenable."

Valeriy Sushkevych, the Ukrainian Paralympic chief, said Ukraine's presence at the Games is a "symbol that Ukraine is alive".