Paralympic athletes from Russia and Belarus must compete as neutrals at the forthcoming Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games.

A statement by the International Paralympic Committee says the athletes - who have already arrived in China - will compete under the Paralympic flag.

They will not be included in the medal table, the IPC said.

The IPC said it had taken "the strongest possible actions" within the parameters available to them.

The Paralympics opens on Friday, with competition beginning on Saturday.

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