Paralympic chief says Israel 'not done anything' to warrant suspension

Israel should not be sanctioned, and wars and conflicts should not influence participation in international sport, according to the head of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC). 

Andrew Parsons drew a distinction between Israel's actions and that of Russia and Belarus, whose athletes cannot represent their countries in the upcoming Olympics and Paralympics in Paris this summer. 

Russian and Belarusian athletes can partake as neutrals, without flags or anthems being played. 

"The situations are different... The Russian and Belarusian Paralympic committees were suspended because both organisations have breached the [Olympic] constitution," Parsons told Reuters on Monday. "They used the Olympic movement to promote the war and the invasion of Ukraine."

He said that the Israeli and Palestinian committees had not done anything that breached the constitution and warranted suspension.

"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," Parsons said. 

The Olympics take place from 26 July to 11 August, while the Paralympics take place between 28 August and 8 September.