The International Paralympic Committee on Thursday expelled Russia and Belarus athletes from the 2022 Winter Games in Beijing amid rising backlash from competitors from other countries over the Ukraine invasion.

Latvia was the first country to officially revolt, telling the committee that its curlers would refuse to play against the Russians in a scheduled group game.

The decision to send the athletes home came less than 24 hours after the announced it would allow Russians and Belarusians to compete as neutral athletes when the games begin Friday.