Paralympics Chief Says Israel Should Not Be Banned from 2024 Games

Andrew Parsons, head of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), stated that Israel will fully participate in the 2024 Paralympic Games, dismissing calls for a ban. Parsons emphasized that wars and conflicts should not influence Paralympic participation, which should convey a message of hope and support.

Despite some international attempts to ban Israel over its actions against the Hamas terror group in Gaza, Parsons affirmed that the situation differs significantly from the ban on Russia and Belarus due to their invasion of Ukraine. He clarified, “The Russian and Belarusian Paralympic Committees were suspended because both organizations have breached the [Olympic] constitution. They used the Olympic movement to promote the war and the invasion of Ukraine.”

The IPC's decision in March to exclude Russian and Belarusian athletes from the Paris 2024 Paralympics opening ceremony stems from these breaches. However, these athletes can still participate as neutrals without national flags or anthems.

In contrast, Parsons highlighted that neither the Israeli nor the Palestinian Paralympic Committees have violated any regulations. “The Paralympic Committee and even the Palestine Paralympic Committee have not done anything of that nature, so we don’t have any process in place when it comes to suspending those national Paralympic committees,” he explained.

The recent Gaza conflict, prompted by the October 7 massacre when Hamas terrorists killed approximately 1,200 people and took 252 hostages in Israel, has led to significant casualties. The Hamas-run Gaza health ministry claims over 35,000 people have been killed or are presumed dead, although these figures include at least 15,000 Hamas fighters according to Israeli sources.

Parsons underscored the importance of keeping sports separate from global conflicts, promoting peace through the Olympic movement. “We don’t want to be directed by the conflicts around the world. I think the message is the other way around, that even if there are countries who are in conflict, even in the most difficult and challenging situations, support can still be a beacon of hope,” he said.

In these times of global tension, the Paralympic Games stand as a testament to unity and resilience. Stay updated on the latest developments and join our community by subscribing to our newsletter.