Italian authorities are not introducing “any sanctions measures” when issuing visas to Belarusian and Russian Paralympic athletes and their accompanying persons, with documents processed under the standard procedure. TASS reported this, citing a source in the Italian government.
“There will be no sanctions. [Visas are issued] under the standard procedure provided for,” the source said.
Earlier, the newspaper La Repubblica reported that at a Cabinet meeting, Italy’s foreign minister and deputy prime minister Antonio Tajani proposed not issuing visas at least to accompanying persons, even if they are people with additional needs. Later, Tajani, together with Sports Minister Andrea Abodi, issued a statement expressing the Italian government’s disagreement with the decision of the International Paralympic Committee to allow athletes from Belarus and Russia to compete on equal terms and calling for the decision to be reconsidered.
President of the Russian Paralympic Committee Pavel Rozhkov earlier told TASS that visa processing for the Russian delegation required to participate in the 2026 Paralympic Games in Italy is proceeding as normal.
It should be recalled that the International Paralympic Committee has allowed athletes from Belarus and Russia to take part in the Paralympics under their national flags.
The Paralympic Games will be held in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo from March 6 to 15, 2026. The opening ceremony will take place at the arena of the ancient amphitheatre in Verona.