Countries Boycott Opening Ceremony
Seven countries have announced they will boycott the opening ceremony of the 2026 Winter Paralympics in Milan-Cortina, Italy, in protest against the inclusion of Russian and Belarusian athletes. This decision comes as the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) estimates that fewer than 60% of the competing countries will send a full delegation to the event.
The UK government confirmed that no representatives would attend, emphasizing their stance against the representation of Russian and Belarusian states in international sport amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. A spokesperson stated, “We have been clear that the Russian and Belarusian states should not be represented in international sport while the barbaric full-scale invasion of Ukraine is ongoing.”
Approximately 612 athletes from 56 countries are expected to compete in the 2026 Winter Paralympics, marking it as the largest event in terms of geographic scale in the history of the Games. In comparison, the 2006 Torino Paralympics featured only 474 athletes from 38 countries.
Despite the boycotts, six athletes from Russia and four from Belarus will compete under their national flags. This will be the first time a Russian flag has been flown at a Paralympic Games since the Sochi 2014 event, following the IPC’s decision to lift its partial ban on athletes from these countries last year.
IPC President Andrew Parsons stated, “Our clear focus remains on supporting all stakeholders arriving and preparing to deliver the best Paralympic Winter Games.” He highlighted the significance of the Paralympic Games, saying, “This is the only event of global reach that puts persons with disabilities centre stage.”
The backdrop of geopolitical tensions continues to cast uncertainty over the participation of various countries in the Games. Details remain unconfirmed regarding the full impact of these crises on the attendance of nations.
You may also like
