Winter Paralympics kick off in Italy amid controversy

The Milan-Cortina Winter Paralympic Games opened in Italy on Friday amid heightened geopolitical tensions and controversy over the participation of athletes from Russia and Belarus competing under their national flags.

Russian athletes take part in the opening ceremony of the Milan-Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games in Verona, Italy, March 6, 2026.

Photo: EPA/Thien-An Truong for OIS/IOC via PAP

Russia is competing under its national flag, anthem and other symbols for the first time since 2014, following the restoration of its membership in the International Paralympic Committee.

Russia’s national anthem was played at the Paralympics for the first time since 2014

It was played after alpine skier Varvara Voronchikhina won the super-G event.

The athlete brought Russia its first gold medal at the 2026 Games. At these Paralympics, the Russian team is… pic.twitter.com/ZSScyxSGMQ

— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) March 9, 2026

The decision to allow Russian para-athletes to compete under the national flag has sparked criticism from Ukraine and the European Union.

Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said last month that allowing Russian and Belarusian competitors to take part under their national symbols at the Milan-Cortina Winter Paralympics was "morally and politically" wrong.

Allowing the flags of aggressor states to be raised at the Paralympic Games while Russia’s war against Ukraine rages on is wrong — morally and politically.

The decision to admit Russia and Belarus under national symbols ignores a simple truth: these flags and anthems represent…

— Andrii Sybiha 🇺🇦 (@andrii_sybiha) February 18, 2026

Ukraine’s youth and sports minister, Matvii Bidnyi, said "the decision to allow murderers and their accomplices to compete under state flags is disappointing and infuriating."

Poland’s sports ministry said participation by athletes from the two countries using their national symbols was "absolutely unacceptable" amid Russia’s ongoing aggression in Ukraine.

Italy’s government has also criticised the decision by the International Paralympic Committee.

The Winter Paralympics run until March 15.

(gs)

Click on the audio player above for a report by Marcin Matuszewski.