Russian flag met largely by silence at opening ceremony of Winter Paralympics
Guardian Sport
by Paul MacInnes at the Arena di VeronaMarch 6, 2026
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The Russian flag was flown at an international sporting event for the first time since the invasion of Ukraine on Friday night, an act met largely by silence, as the Winter Paralympic Games got under way with a high-end opening ceremony in Verona.
Dance, music and visual art combined in a beguiling hour-long performance, celebrating the Paralympic movement and stressing the importance of physical access for people with disabilities, all in a Roman amphitheatre made accessible just for the event. But the eyes of the crowd and a global audience were on the parade of athletes passing into the Arena di Verona.
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Originally published on Guardian Sport on 3/6/2026