Italy opposes Paralympics allowing Russia and Belarus to use flags, anthems
Al Jazeera
February 19, 2026
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Italy has expressed strong opposition to the International Paralympic Committee's (IPC) decision to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete under their national flags and anthems at the upcoming Winter Paralympics. The Italian government, led by Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani and Sports Minister Andrea Abodi, argued that this decision contradicts the Olympic spirit, particularly given Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine since 2018. They emphasized that athletes from these countries should only participate as neutral individuals, without any national symbols.
The IPC restored Russia and Belarus' Paralympic rights last year following a member vote, despite widespread international condemnation of their actions in Ukraine. While some sports federations have maintained bans on Russian and Belarusian athletes, the Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled in December that they could compete as neutral individuals without flags or anthems. Currently, at the ongoing Winter Olympics, a limited number of athletes from these nations are competing under neutral status.
Italy's stance aligns with 33 other countries and the European Commission, which share concerns about Russia and Belarus' involvement. The Italian government also rejected claims that it might block visas for Russian athletes or officials, stating that their participation should not be hindered if confirmed. However, Russia's embassy in Italy criticized the decision as undiplomatic and offensive.
The Paralympics will take place from March 6 to 15, with the IPC's ruling sparking a heated debate over whether sports can remain neutral ground during global conflicts. The controversy highlights the delicate balance between upholding Olympic ideals and addressing ongoing geopolitical tensions.
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Originally published on Al Jazeera on 2/19/2026