Russian Anthem Played Again at Paralympics Following German Protest

The Russian national anthem was played at the 2026 Winter Paralympics in Milan Cortina on Wednesday, March 11, just a day after German athletes visibly protested during a medal ceremony. This follows the International Paralympic Committee’s (IPC) decision to lift its suspension of Russia in September, allowing Russian athletes to compete under their national flag for the first time since 2014.

Gold Medal Wins and Protest

Ivan Golubkov secured Russia’s third gold medal of the Games in the men’s Para cross-country 10km interval start sitting event according to the Associated Press. Anastasiia Bagiian and her guide Sergei Siniakin also won gold in the cross-country skiing women’s 10Km interval start classic vision impaired final.

The protest occurred on Tuesday, after Bagiian and Siniakin’s victory. German cross-country skiers Linn Kazmaier and Florian Baumann, who won silver in the same event, turned their backs during the playing of the Russian anthem and post-ceremony photographs as reported by Yahoo Sports.

Reasons for the Protest

The German athletes’ demonstration was a direct response to Russia’s participation in the Games, despite the country’s previous bans related to a state-sponsored doping scandal and the 2022 invasion of Ukraine as detailed in the Times of India. Kazmaier expressed feeling conflicted, stating to German outlet Bild that she didn’t know if the Russian athletes shared the same disapproval of their government’s actions, but felt it necessary to demonstrate their opposition to the flag according to BBC Sport.

IPC’s Decision and Boycotts

The IPC lifted its ban on Russia and Belarus (an ally of Russia) allowing six Russian and four Belarusian athletes to compete in the Milan-Cortina Winter Paralympics. This decision led to a boycott of the opening ceremony by teams from seven countries, including Ukraine as reported by Yahoo Sports. Germany also joined the boycott according to The Independent.

The situation highlights the ongoing tensions surrounding Russia’s involvement in international sporting events and the tricky position athletes face when politics intersect with competition.