Russian and Belarusian athletes will be allowed to compete at the Beijing Winter Paralympic Games starting on Friday, the International Paralympic Committee has said. 

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However, the committee said in a statement that the athletes will take part as neutrals and will compete under the Paralympic flag. The athletes, who have already arrived in China, will also not be included in the medals table.

Twenty Ukrainian athletes are en route to the games, but it is thought that they may choose to withdraw rather than compete against Russian and Belarusian athletes.