Ukraine to boycott Paralympic Games ceremony due to Russian participation | Winter Olympics News
Ukrainians to Boycott Paralympic Opening Ceremony Over Russian and Belarusian Participation
Ukrainian athletes will boycott the opening ceremony of the Milano Cortina Paralympics on March 6 in Verona, following the International Paralympic Committee’s (IPC) decision to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete under their national flags.
The IPC has allocated 10 combined slots to athletes from Russia and Belarus, a move that has generated significant controversy due to the ongoing conflict stemming from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The Ukrainian Paralympic Committee expressed its outrage, calling the IPC’s decision “cynical” and demanding that Ukraine’s flag not be displayed during the ceremony.
“We are outraged by the decision of the International Paralympic Committee to grant bipartite slots to Russia and Belarus,” the Ukrainian committee stated. Their response comes after the disqualification of Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych for wearing a helmet honoring athletes who have lost their lives in the war.
Ukrainian Sports Minister Matvii Bidnyi confirmed that while officials will not attend the March 6-15 Games, the nation’s athletes will still participate in the competitions.
An IPC spokesperson indicated that the organization is in contact with Ukraine’s Paralympic Committee regarding the situation, which will be discussed internally.
The slots awarded include two for Para alpine skiing, two for cross-country skiing, and two for snowboarding for Russian athletes, while Belarus has been given four places, all in cross-country skiing.
“The actions of the IPC are unacceptable,” the Ukrainian statement continued. “Neither Russia nor Belarus went through the qualification process to participate in the Milano-Cortina Paralympics, and this is particularly painful given the horrific military aggression against Ukraine.”
This incident recalls Ukraine’s response to the 2014 Sochi Paralympics, where the country sent only one athlete from a 23-member team to the opening ceremony in protest of Russia’s annexation of the Crimean Peninsula.
Heraskevych emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, “It’s very offensive from the IPC to let people who support this war be part of the Games and also to let them carry their flag, because under the same flag they are killing Ukrainians.”
As the Paralympic Games approach, tensions surrounding athlete representation and national pride continue to escalate.
