Ukraine to Boycott Winter Paralympics Opening Ceremony Amidst Outrage Over Russian and Belarusian Participation
Ukrainian officials have announced they will boycott the opening ceremony and all official events of the upcoming Winter Paralympics in Milano Cortina, Italy, in protest against the International Paralympic Committee’s (IPC) decision to allow athletes from Russia and Belarus to compete under their national flags. The move comes as international condemnation grows over the IPC’s reversal of a previous ban imposed after Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
IPC Decision Sparks International Criticism
The IPC announced on Tuesday that six Russian athletes and four Belarusian athletes would be permitted to participate in the Paralympics, which are scheduled to take place from March 6 to 15. This decision overturned a ban that had been in place since the start of the conflict in Ukraine. The IPC had previously lifted partial suspensions of Russia and Belarus in September 2025, paving the way for their athletes to potentially compete.
Ukrainian Response: A Strong Stance Against Participation
Ukraine’s Sports Minister, Matvii Bidnyi, strongly condemned the IPC’s decision, calling it “disappointing and outrageous.” He stated that the flags of Russia and Belarus “have no place at international sporting events that stand for fairness, integrity and respect.” Bidnyi further emphasized that these nations have “turned sport into a tool of war, lies and contempt,” adding that Paralympic sport in Russia has been used to support those involved in the conflict in Ukraine. The Guardian
Bidnyi affirmed that no Ukrainian officials would attend the opening ceremony or any other official events during the Games. He also expressed gratitude to officials from the “free world” who he hoped would follow suit. Reuters
International Concerns Echo Ukraine’s Disappointment
The decision has also drawn criticism from other international figures. The UK Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport described the move as the “completely wrong decision,” arguing that allowing athletes from Russia and Belarus to compete under their own flags while the invasion of Ukraine continues sends a “terrible message.” She urged the IPC to reconsider its stance. The Guardian
Athlete Participation and Previous Bans
The IPC’s decision allows for a total of 10 para-athletes – six from Russia and four from Belarus – to compete in the Milano Cortina Winter Paralympics. The athletes will compete under their national flags. Al Jazeera
Russia’s flag and anthem have been absent from Olympic and Paralympic events since the 2014 Sochi Games due to a state-sponsored doping scandal. While the ban was lifted in September, the recent decision to allow athletes to compete under their flags represents a significant shift in policy. The Guardian
Looking Ahead
Despite the controversy, Ukrainian athletes are still expected to participate in the Paralympic Games. The situation remains fluid, and further developments are anticipated as the Games approach. The IPC has not yet responded to calls for reconsideration of its decision. ESPN