Fourteen National Paralympic Committees have expressed their support for suspended Russia in a joint open letter sent to the International Paralympic Committee ©RPC

Russia's bid to be reinstated by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) in time for Pyeongchang 2018 has been boosted after 14 countries wrote a letter expressing their support for them. 

The letter was sent following a roundtable meeting organised by the Russian Paralympic Committee (RPC), who are currently suspended from the IPC.

The National Paralympic Committees represented at the meeting were those of Armenia, Belarus, Bulgaria, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Serbia, South Korea, Tajikistan and Vietnam.

Also present were representatives from the International Wheelchair and Amputee Sports Federation.

"We, the signatories, are inspired by the Russian Committee’s work to create an open environment with zero tolerance for doping and to protect clean sports; [to create] systematic technologies; to raise awareness in anti-doping issues not only among athletes but also among those who train them; [to set up] a database to prevent the use of doping in Russian Paralympic sports," the letter released by the RPC reads, according to Russia's official news agency TASS.

"RPC’s efforts deserve praise and may become an example for many other National Paralympic Committees.

"We are convinced that it would be useful to share documents and references developed by the RPC with all Paralympic Committees, because they have proven to be an efficient instrument in anti-doping efforts."

Doubts remain over the participation of Russia at next year's Winter Paralympic Games in Pyeongchang.

The IPC announced in August last year that Russia would be banned from Rio 2016 following the release of Richard McLaren's report commissioned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

Russia could miss the 2018 Winter Paralympic Games in Pyeongchang following the doping scandal which emerged after they had finished top of the medals table at Sochi 2014 ©Getty Images
Russia could miss the 2018 Winter Paralympic Games in Pyeongchang following the doping scandal which emerged after they had finished top of the medals table at Sochi 2014 ©Getty Images

The Canadian lawyer uncovered the presence of a state-sponsored doping scheme within the Russian system.

He also revealed what he described, as the "disappearing positive methodology" - where positive samples were switched for clean ones.

The 2014 Winter Paralympics in Sochi were particularly believed to have been compromised by the switching of samples.

IPC President Sir Philip Craven had described the anti-doping system in Russia as "broken, corrupted and entirely compromised" when confirming the suspension of the RPC.

Sir Philip had also accused the Russian Government of "catastrophically failing" its Para-athletes, claiming the "medals over morals attitude disgusts me".

Russia are expected to discover whether their athletes could feature at Pyeongchang 2018 next month, when the IPC Governing Board meet in United Arab Emirates’ capital Abu Dhabi on September 3 and 4.

Sir Philip warned in May that it would be "very unlikely" for Russia to compete at Pyeongchang 2018 should the suspension not be lifted.

The decision will depend on the verdict of an IPC Taskforce, which has been overseeing the RPC’s reinstatement process.

The Taskforce, chaired by British Rowing's chief executive Andy Parkinson, commended the RPC’s enthusiasm and commitment to achieving reinstatement in May.

Several key criteria were deemed to have not been met, however.

"We share the opinion of the International Paralympic Committee President Philip Craven that the Paralympic Committee of Russia continues to demonstrate sustainable and positive progress towards meeting the criteria for recovering its membership," the letter added.

IPC President Sir Philip Craven warned in May that it would be
IPC President Sir Philip Craven warned in May that it would be "very unlikely" for Russia to compete at Pyeongchang 2018 should the suspension not be lifted ©Getty Images

As part of a range of initiatives to try and meet the reinstatement criteria for having its IPC suspension lifted, the RPC has launched a hotline for reporting any alleged anti-doping violations.

The national body has also developed and agreed with the IPC on the creation of an RPC anti-doping educational programme and RPC regulations on ethics, conflict of interests and fight against corruption.

The anti-doping educational programme was developed by the RPC in co-operation with the IPC Taskforce, Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) and WADA independent experts.

The programme’s mission is to prevent intentional and neglected use of the prohibited substances and methods by Paralympic athletes. 

It also aims to increase the awareness levels of athletes and athlete support personnel in the fight against doping to help ensure fair and clean competitiveness of athletes at national and international competitions in Paralympic sports.

In order to implement the anti-doping educational programme, RPC staff members are being trained to be the lecturers of it. 

All coaches and specialists, who are working with Russian national sport teams will have to complete the educational platform as well.

With the purpose to promote an open environment with zero-tolerance to doping and preserving clean sport, the RPC has also produced some special information materials, including the second edition of Paralympic Sport, a magazine featuring details on the operation of the RPC hotline, an examination of medical supplies and RUSADA’s e-learning educational platform.

Additionally, in an attempt to increase the level of education in the field of anti-doping procurement of the athletes of Russian national sport teams and all those who take an active part in their preparations, the RPC has published the IPC Anti-Doping Code and has developed and published athlete anti-doping guidelines.

Alongside the hotline launch, the RPC also presented an ambassadors of Paralympic sports programme, showcasing remarkable and outstanding Paralympic athletes who will aim to actively promote the values of Paralympic Movement, spirit of fair play and ideals of doping-free clean sport.

Furthermore, the RPC held the first pilot anti-doping seminar for athletes of Russian national sport teams.

More than 30 athletes, coaches and specialists from Para ice hockey, wheelchair curling and canoeing took part in the course.