Ukraine to boycott Paralympic Games ceremony due to Russian participation
Al Jazeera
February 20, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
The Ukrainian Paralympic Committee has announced its decision to boycott the opening ceremony of the Milano Cortina Paralympics, set to take place on March 6 in Verona. The move comes in response to the International Paralympic Committee (IPC)’s allocation of 10 combined slots to Russian and Belarusian athletes, allowing them to compete under their national flags. This decision has sparked intense political controversy, particularly given the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
Ukraine’s boycott is driven by its outrage over what it calls a “cynical” decision by the IPC. The committee emphasized that neither Russia nor Belarus had gone through the qualification process to earn the right to participate in the Games. This stance reflects the deep-seated bitterness over Russia's ongoing military aggression in Ukraine, which began four years ago. Ukraine’s Sports Minister, Matvii Bidnyi, confirmed that while the nation’s athletes will still compete in the events, officials will not attend the ceremony.
The IPC has defended its decision, stating that it follows similar precedents from past Paralympic Games. However, the inclusion of Russian and Belarusian athletes has drawn sharp criticism, particularly from Italy, which opposes the use of their flags and anthems during the event. Russia, on the other hand, maintains that sport should not be politicized and argues that targeting disabled athletes is unfair.
The situation highlights the growing tension between sports as a neutral platform and its entanglement with geopolitical conflicts. Ukraine’s decision to boycott the ceremony underscores how international sporting events can become battlegrounds for political statements. This controversy also reflects broader debates about whether athletes from nations involved in military conflicts should be allowed to compete under their national flags or if they should instead participate under a neutral banner.
Ultimately, this issue matters because it raises questions about the role of sports in addressing global politics. While some argue that sport can transcend borders and foster unity, others believe that allowing participation by athletes from countries engaged in
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Originally published on Al Jazeera on 2/20/2026