The Belarus team last night carried the Russian flag during the Paralympics opening ceremony - in a protest over the nation's ban from the Olympics for doping.

Unlike in the Olympics, Russia was last month issued with a wholesale ban from the Paralympics - a decision which was supported by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

But Belarus last night showed its solidarity with the country's neighbour and followed through with a pledge to parade with the Russian flag.

The Belarus team last night carried the Russian flag during the Paralympics opening ceremony - in a protest over the nation's ban from the Olympics for doping

One member of Belarus' parading delegation displayed the red, white and blue flag for a quarter of the circuit of the Maracana Stadium at Wednesday night's opening ceremony before it was confiscated and the individual responsible was identified.

The International Paralympic Committee is considering how to address the matter.

An IPC spokesperson said: 'The IPC is aware a member of the Belarusian delegation displayed a Russian flag during the opening ceremony.

'We will aim to identify said person before deciding on next steps.'

Belarus last night showed their solidarity with their country's neighbour and followed through with a pledge to parade with the Russian flag

The International Paralympic Committee is considering how to address the matter

Russia finished second in the London 2012 Paralympics medal table.

Russia had 267 athlete slots and the IPC has redistributed 240 of them to other nations.

There are more than 4,300 athletes from 159 nations - plus two refugees representing an independent team - at the Games which begin on Thursday and continue until September 18.