Ukraine has called on other countries to boycott the opening ceremony of next month’s Paralympic Games in Verona, following a controversial decision by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) to allow Russian athletes to compete under their national flag.
The IPC confirmed on Tuesday that six Russian and four Belarusian athletes will be allowed to participate in the Milan-Cortina Paralympics under their own flags instead of competing as neutral athletes, sparking outrage in Kyiv.
Ukraine Condemns IPC Decision
Ukraine’s Sports Minister Matviy Bidny described the move as “outrageous” and accused Russia and Belarus of turning sport into a tool of war and propaganda.
“Ukrainian public officials will not attend the Paralympic Games. We will not be present at the opening ceremony,” Bidny said, adding that Kyiv would also skip all official Paralympic events.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga said he had instructed ambassadors worldwide to urge other nations to shun the March 6 opening ceremony.
“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,” he wrote on social media.
European Union sports commissioner Glenn Micallef also confirmed he would skip the ceremony.
Growing Tensions With Global Sports Bodies
The IPC decision comes amid rising friction between Ukraine and international sporting organisations. Ukraine has also clashed with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) during the ongoing Winter Olympics.
The IOC recently banned Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych for refusing to remove a helmet depicting victims of the war. Kyiv was further angered after it emerged that a Russian woman was chosen to carry the “Ukraine” name card during the Games’ opening ceremony.
Ukraine’s foreign ministry called the move a “severe violation of the Olympic Charter” and demanded an apology. Kyiv also criticised FIFA President Gianni Infantino for suggesting Russia should be reinstated in international football.
Ukraine Will Not Boycott the Paralympics
Despite the diplomatic protest, Ukraine confirmed that its athletes will not boycott the Paralympics. Ukrainian Paralympic Committee President Valeriy Sushkevych said withdrawing would hand Russia a symbolic victory.
“If we do not go, it would mean allowing Putin to claim a victory over Ukrainian Paralympians and over Ukraine by excluding us from the Games. That will not happen,” he said.
Ukraine has historically been a strong Paralympic nation, finishing second in the medal table at the Beijing Winter Paralympics four years ago.
Russian and Belarusian Participation
Russia has been largely banned from international sports since the invasion of Ukraine. However, the IPC unexpectedly lifted its suspension on Russian and Belarusian athletes at its general assembly in September.
For the upcoming Paralympics:
- Russia received two slots each in alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, and snowboarding.
- Belarus received four slots in cross-country skiing.
The IPC stated that the athletes would be “treated like any other country.”