Beleniuk described the IPC’s September decision to restore Russia’s membership — allowing six Russians and four Belarusians to compete under their national flags at the 2026 Winter Paralympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo — as the second major step toward Moscow, following the admission of Russian juniors to the Youth Olympic Games.
“The first step is teenagers, that is, the Youth Olympic Games. They were admitted a few months ago,” he said.
“The second step is Paralympians. Let me remind you that after the full-scale invasion, Russia was banned, along with Belarus, from participating in the Paralympics in Beijing because of the full-scale invasion of our country. And now they want to bring them back directly to the Paralympic Games. The third step will be representatives of the adult Olympic team. But, as I understand it, they want to delay this a little, to test the reaction to the Paralympians. It's shameful, it looks like blasphemy. Of course, I don't even know how to comment on this. Because [Vladimir] Putin hasn't deviated from his plans one iota. He doesn't give a damn about the Paralympic Committee or the Olympic Committee, he's waging war during the Games. He manipulates doping. I want to remind you that the Russians were banned even before the full-scale invasion because they manipulated doping at the 2014 Olympics. Since 2016, they have not been allowed to compete under their own symbols. They competed as representatives of the Russian National Olympic Committee. Now the IOC is turning a blind eye to all this, as if nothing had happened. In other words, doping is no big deal, war is no big deal. The main thing is to please Putin and do everything to ensure that he returns with his money. How will we live without him? We have been waiting for a full-scale invasion for so many years, and we can't wait. It looks pathetic if it's true. I'm sure it's true. It looks pathetic; it looks like flirting with an aggressor, with a terrorist. Of course, this will have consequences. Unfortunately, history teaches no one anything. Therefore, shame on the IOC and the IPC, unfortunately.”
Russia and Belarus were fully banned from the 2022 Winter Paralympics in Beijing after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. At the 2024 Summer Paralympics, they competed in neutral status.
The 2026 Winter Paralympics will be held in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo from March 6 to 15.