This week, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) announced that six athletes from Russia and four athletes from Belarus will be permitted to compete in the upcoming Winter Paralympic Games in Milan-Cortina d’Ampezzo under their respective national flags. The IPC stated, “The Russian Paralympic Committee has been awarded a total of six spots, and Belarus has been awarded four spots.” IPC representative Craig Spence further clarified that these athletes will be treated as competitors from any other country.
In response to this decision, the National Paralympic Committee of Ukraine has announced its withdrawal from the opening ceremony of the Games. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha has called upon representatives from other nations to consider boycotting the Winter Paralympic Games, given the participation of athletes from Russia and Belarus under their national flags.
Countries such as Poland and Lithuania have joined the boycott, announcing their withdrawal from the opening ceremony of the Games.
Minister Sybiha commented, “Allowing the flags of aggressor countries to be raised at the Paralympic Games while the Russian war against Ukraine is ongoing represents a significant moral and political mistake.”
He underscored that permitting Russia and Belarus to participate under their national symbols disregards the actions of regimes involved in aggression and destruction, which exploit sports as a tool for propaganda. He emphasised that these nations cannot be dissociated from the crimes committed under their banners.
Furthermore, Minister Sybiha noted that even the Paralympic sports in Russia are being utilised to glorify individuals involved in the war against Ukraine. “Providing a prestigious international platform for such a system conveys a troubling message that accountability can be overlooked,” he remarked. The Minister has directed Ukrainian ambassadors in other nations to appeal to government officials to refrain from attending the Paralympics opening ceremony “if this objectionable decision is not reversed.”
In Lithuania, snowboarder Rapolas Micevicius, the only Paralympic competitor, will not participate in the opening ceremony due to the IPC’s decision. Asta Narmonte, Secretary General of the Lithuanian Paralympic Committee, also affirmed that the Committee will not take part in the ceremony.
Additionally, Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene has cancelled her planned visit to the Paralympics, stating that although she intended to support the Lithuanian Paralympic athlete and the Committee, she will instead honour the athlete in Lithuania. She emphasised the necessity of “unity and resistance to all provocations,” stressing the importance of demonstrating solidarity in Europe and belief in Ukraine’s eventual victory.
Russia and Belarus were banned from the 2022 Winter Paralympics following Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Athletes from these countries were later allowed to participate in the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris under a neutral flag. This arrangement also extends to the current Winter Olympics being held in Italy.
In September of last year, the International Paralympic Committee decided to lift the partial suspension of Russia and Belarus, which had been in place since the invasion, restoring full membership in the organisation to both national committees. The Milan-Cortina Paralympic Games are scheduled to take place from 6 to 15 March.
