Ukraine leads boycotts as athletes from Russia and Belarus march
Russia’s flag flew at a Paralympic Winter Games opening ceremony on Friday eevening forthe first time in more than a decade.
The four Russian athletes were met with boos from spectators as they entered the historic Arena di Verona, waving to the crowd despite the hostile reception.
This marked the flag’s first appearance at a winter edition of the Games since Russia hosted the event in Sochi in 2014.
The delegation’s presence proved deeply controversial, with several nations refusing to participate in the parade at the ceremony marking the 50th anniversary of the Winter Paralympics.
Ukraine led the boycott.
Its athletes were absent from the ceremony, despite the country’s flag receiving one of the warmest receptions of the evening as it was carried into the arena by a volunteer.
Six other nations joined the protest against the participation of Russian and Belarusian competitors.
The Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Poland and Lithuania all refused to send their delegations to the parade.
Russia’s flag flew at a Paralympic Winter Games opening ceremony on Friday evening
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The controversy surrounding the inclusion of six Russian and four Belarusian athletes had dominated discussions in the lead-up to the Games.
The International Paralympic Committee facing criticism from multiple countries over its decision to lift the ban.
Belarus similarly returned to the Paralympic stage.
Two athletes took part in the parade after facing the same ban imposed following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Russia had initially been excluded from the 2016 Summer Paralympics due to a state-sponsored doping scandal
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Russia had initially been excluded from the 2016 Summer Paralympics due to a state-sponsored doping scandal, with further sanctions following the military action in Ukraine.
Now that the suspension has been lifted, the Russian national anthem could potentially be heard at a major international sporting competition for the first time since 2022, should any of their athletes claim gold.
The Milan-Cortina Games will feature competition across 79 events spanning six sports.
International Paralympic Committee President Andrew Parsons acknowledged the difficult circumstances surrounding these Games during his address at the ceremony.
The Ukrainian flag received one of the warmest receptions of the evening as it was carried into the arena by a volunteer
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He said: “Four years ago I said I was horrified at what was happening in the world. Unfortunately, the situation has not improved.”
Parsons argued sport provides an alternative perspective.
He said: “In a world where some countries are better known by the names of their leaders, I prefer to know the countries by the name of their athletes.”
Parsons said the Paralympics demonstrate how “differences are not reason for separation but sources of strength” and that “nations gather as neighbours.”
