Today, Wednesday 2nd March 2022, The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) voted to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to participate at the Beijing Winter Olympic Games despite the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which is being aided and abetted by Belarus.

Although athletes will not be allowed to complete under the flag of their country or attend a medal ceremony, I believe that this does not go nearly far enough. It is not in step with with the vast majority of sporting authorities who have acted decisively to show unequivocal solidarity with the people of Ukraine following the invasion of their country by Russia.

In the UK, Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries has urged the IPC to reconsider this decision and consider the “full range of options” to protest against the decision to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete.

Please sign this petition if you agree that Russian and Belarusian paralympians should not be allowed to compete at the Winter Games and to bring the weight of public opinion to bear on the IOC and IPC.