The IPC announced that six Russian and four Belarusian athletes have received invitations for the Games in para-alpine skiing, para cross-country skiing, and para-snowboarding. The committee lifted its suspension of the two countries in September, having previously allowed athletes to compete only as neutrals following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
The decision is garnering political opposition across Europe. EU Sports Commissioner Glenn Micallef stated he would boycott the ceremony, cautioning that the IPC’s decision could undermine solidarity with Ukraine.
Estonia’s Paralympic Committee has criticized the move, with its officials announcing plans to skip the opening ceremony.
In Poland, the head of the national Paralympic Committee told Polsat News they might boycott the ceremony, labeling the IPC’s decision as “scandalous” and the result of Russian influence.
Italy, host of the 2026 Winter Games, is applying diplomatic pressure. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani and Sports Minister Andrea Abodi urged the IPC to rethink the decision, emphasizing Rome’s opposition and arguing that Russia’s actions are inconsistent with Olympic values, making participation under national flags unacceptable.
This dispute arises amid tensions between Kyiv and the International Olympic Committee after Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych was disqualified from the Winter Olympics for wearing a helmet honoring war casualties, a decision upheld despite protests.
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