Ukraine Officials Boycott Milano Cortina Paralympics Over Russia’s Return

Ukrainian officials have announced a boycott of the upcoming Milano Cortina Paralympics due to the participation of athletes from Russia and Belarus. This decision was confirmed by Ukraine’s Sports Minister, Matvii Bidnyi, on Wednesday, following the International Paralympic Committee’s (IPC) decision to allow athletes from these nations to compete under their flags. While Ukrainian athletes will still participate, no officials will attend the opening ceremony or any events associated with the Games.

The IPC’s ruling permits a total of ten athletes from Russia and Belarus to compete, a decision that has drawn sharp criticism. Russia will be represented by two athletes each in alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, and snowboarding, while Belarus secured four spots, all in cross-country skiing. Minister Bidnyi urged other nations to join Ukraine in this boycott, expressing concerns over the integrity of the Games.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the IPC’s decision in a recent interview, labeling it “a dirty decision, absolutely, and not respectable; not European.” The IPC did not respond to requests for comments regarding the backlash.

The return of Russian and Belarusian athletes to Paralympic competitions follows their suspension after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Despite the earlier bans, these nations regained full membership rights in the IPC after a vote last year lifted their partial suspensions. This decision has sparked outrage among many, including leaders from various countries.

International Response to the IPC’s Decision

International federations for various sports within the Paralympic framework had initially maintained bans on athletes from Russia and Belarus. However, both nations successfully appealed against these restrictions at the Court of Arbitration for Sport in December. In light of the IPC’s actions, Glenn Micallef, the European Commissioner for Sport, announced he would not attend the opening ceremony, calling the decision to allow these athletes “unacceptable.” He expressed his stance on social media, stating, “While Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine continues, I cannot support the reinstatement of national symbols, flags, anthems and uniforms that are inseparable from that conflict.”

Poland’s sports ministry has also confirmed its intention to boycott the ceremony, joining the growing list of nations voicing their disapproval.

The situation is further complicated by the limited participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes at the Olympic Games, where they are competing as individual, neutral athletes. However, the national Olympic committees of both countries remain sanctioned by the International Olympic Committee.

Minister Bidnyi emphasized on social media, “The flags of Russia and Belarus have no place at international sporting events that stand for fairness, integrity and respect. These are the flags of regimes that have turned sport into a tool of war, lies and contempt.”

As the Milano Cortina Paralympics approaches, the implications of the IPC’s decision continue to resonate across the international sports community, raising significant questions about the intersection of politics and athletics.