Ukraine boycotts Paralympics due to Russia, Belarus athlete inclusion

Ukraine’s national sports minister, Matvii Bidnyi, issued a strong protest against the upcoming Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games. He announced that officials from Ukraine would not participate in these events due to decisions allowing Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete under their respective national flags.

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) had recently lifted a three-year ban on Russia and Belarus, permitting them to return to the competition stage. This decision came after lifting an earlier ban imposed by the IPC following Ukraine’s full-scale invasion of Russia in February 2022.

“NPC [National Paralympic Committee] Russia has been awarded six total slots: two for Para alpine skiing (one male, one female), two for Para cross-country skiing (one male, one female), and two for Para snowboard (both male),” the IPC stated in a statement. “NPC Belarus has been awarded four slots in total, all in cross-country skiing (one male and three females).”

The 2026 Paralympics are set to begin on March 6.

After the ban was lifted, Ukrainian officials, including Bidnyi, were quick to respond. He declared that Ukraine would not attend any Paralympic events but assured that its own athletes would still compete. “The IPC can confirm these slots for Russia and Belarus,” he wrote, expressing his disappointment and stating that it is “disappointing and outrageous” to allow individuals who have committed atrocities under the Russian flag.

Ukraine’s stance was reinforced by European officials like Glenn Micallef, EU Commissioner for Sport, who vowed to boycott the opening ceremony of the Games. His decision was made in solidarity with Ukraine’s position on the ongoing conflict and his belief that the reinstatement of national symbols was “unacceptable” during wartime.

Similarly, Lisa Nandy, U.K. Secretary of State for Culture, Media, and Sport, echoed these sentiments, describing the decision to allow Russian athletes under their flags as a “terrible message,” urging the IPC to reconsider the situation urgently.

The debate underscores the challenges faced by international sporting bodies in attempting to maintain the Olympics as free from political entanglements. Earlier this month, Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych was disqualified for wearing a special helmet symbolizing those killed during Ukraine’s war with Russia.

CBS News continues to seek comment on the IPC’s decision regarding Russian and Belarusian athletes competing under their national flags at the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympics.