Ukraine condemns Paralympics move on Russia, Belarus

Deutsche Welle

February 20, 2026

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Ukraine has announced its intention to boycott the opening ceremony of the Paralympics in Verona due to the International Paralympic Committee's (IPC) decision to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete under their national flags. This move comes as a direct protest against what Ukraine views as an inappropriate normalization of Russia and Belarus' involvement in international sports, particularly given their roles in the ongoing conflict with Ukraine. The IPC granted wildcard spots to a limited number of athletes from these countries, enabling them to compete under their respective national flags during the upcoming Winter Paralympics in Italy. The decision by the IPC contrasts sharply with the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) stance at the recent Winter Olympics, where Russian and Belarusian athletes were required to compete under neutral flags. Ukraine had participated in the opening ceremony of those Games but has now decided to skip the Paralympic opening event as a form of protest. Ukrainian officials, including Sports Minister Matviy Bidny, have criticized the IPC's decision, calling it "outrageous" and accusing Russia and Belarus of using sports as a tool for war. Ukraine's National Paralympic Committee expressed strong outrage over the IPC's decision, stating that it undermines efforts to isolate Russia and Belarus in the global sporting community. Valeriy Sushkevych, president of the Ukrainian Paralympic Committee, emphasized that while Ukraine will not fully boycott the Paralympics, their athletes will refrain from attending the opening ceremony. This decision reflects a growing divide between international sports bodies and countries affected by geopolitical tensions. The situation highlights the complex interplay between politics and sports on the global stage. As the conflict in Ukraine continues to escalate, decisions like these by international sporting organizations are increasingly scrutinized for their potential to either promote or undermine diplomatic efforts. The boycott by

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Originally published on Deutsche Welle on 2/20/2026