IPC Handbook
June 2006

IPC Policies

Section 2
Chapter 3.1

CHAPTER 3.1 - IPC ATHLETE NATIONALITY POLICY
1.

INTRODUCTION
Any athlete in the Paralympic Games or other competitions
sanctioned by the IPC must be a national of thecountry/territory of the NPC entering him or her and incompliance with the provisions of the IPC Athlete NationalityPolicy.
The IPC Governing Board shall resolve all disputes relating to
the determination of the country/territory that a competitor
may represent in the Paralympic Games or other competitions
sanctioned by the IPC.

1.1

Athletes competing for the first time
An athlete who competes for the first time, thus representing
his or her country in the Paralympic Games, in IPC WorldChampionships, Regional Championships, Regional Games orother competition sanctioned by the IPC or, where relevant,the IOSD or IF, may not represent another country/territory
unless he/she meets the conditions set forth in provisions that
apply to athletes changing their nationality.

1.2

Athletes with two or more nationalities
An athlete who is a national of two (2) or morecountries/territories at the same time may represent either oneof them as he or she may elect, and is subject to theprovisions that apply to athletes competing for the first time.

1.3

Athletes changing or acquiring a new nationality

1.3.1

Paralympic GamesAn athlete who has represented one country/territory in theParalympic Games, in IPC World Championships, RegionalChampionships, Regional Games or other competition
sanctioned by the IPC or, where relevant, the IOSD or IF, andwho has changed his/her nationality or acquired a newnationality, shall not participate in the Paralympic Games torepresent his/her new country/territory until three years aftersuch change or acquisition has been made.

IPC Handbook
June 2006

IPC Policies

Section 2
Chapter 3.1

1.3.2

Other IPC Competitions
An athlete who has represented one country/territory in acompetition sanctioned by the IPC, and who has changed
his/her nationality or acquired a new nationality shall notparticipate
inIPC
World
Championships,
Regional
Championships, Regional Games or other competition
sanctioned by the IPC (excluding the Paralympic Games) torepresent his/her new country/territory until one year after
such change or acquisition has been made.

1.3.3

Reduction or Cancellation of Minimum Waiting Period
The minimum waiting period required for athletes who change
nationality or acquire a new nationality may be reduced oreven cancelled provided that the concerned NPCs and/or
IOSD/IF agree, and subject to confirmation by the IPC CEO.

1.4

Extraordinary circumstances
In all cases not expressly addressed in the IPC Athlete
Nationality Policy, in particular in those cases in which anathlete would be in a position to represent a country otherthan that of which he or she is a national or to have a choice
as to the country which he/she intends to represent, the IPC
Governing Board and/or IPC Legal Committee may issue
specific requirements relating to nationality, citizenship,
domicile or residence of the athlete, as well as the duration of
any waiting period.

1.5

Clarification of jurisdiction
Whereas the IPC Athlete Nationality Policy applies for all
entries to the IPC Paralympic Games, the respective IF orIOSD rules apply for qualifying competitions of sports
governed by an IF or IOSD. Subsequently, in the event theIF’s or IOSD’s eligibility rules are more stringent than IPC rules,
the more stringent rules shall automatically come into effectfor participation in the Paralympic Games through thequalifying process.