German skiers stage protest against Russia at Winter Paralympics
German cross-country skiers Linn Kazmaier and Florian Baumann staged a podium protest at the Winter Paralympics on Tuesday, turning away from Russian gold medallists as the anthem played, reports BritPanorama.
The pair, who claimed silver in the women’s sprint classic vision impaired event, refused to face Anastasiia Bagiian and her guide Sergei Siniakin during the ceremony.
This marks the first Paralympics since 2014 where Russian competitors have appeared under their national flag, following the International Paralympic Committee’s decision to lift its suspension in September. Russia had previously been excluded due to a state-sponsored doping scandal, with additional sanctions imposed after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
The IPC confirmed it was aware of the demonstration and is currently gathering evidence regarding the incident. Kazmaier described her experience on the podium to German outlet Bild, stating, “The medal ceremony felt completely strange.”
She explained the reasoning behind their silent protest: “That’s why we decided to leave our hats on and not turn towards the flag, because we do not support it.”
Bild also reported that both athletes declined to participate in the traditional medallists’ selfie that follows each ceremony at the Games. Baumann highlighted the gesture as a form of support for Ukrainian competitors, recalling positive interactions at previous Games. “Four years ago in Beijing, we had a great exchange with the Ukrainians. We wanted to show solidarity to them,” he told Bild.
He stressed the protest was not directed at individual Russian athletes, acknowledging their difficult position. “It’s not about the Russian athletes, themselves. It’s also difficult for many of them, but the IPC’s decision to have Russia here under their flag, with their anthem and their full contingent in attendance, while the Ukrainians are also here, I find simply not correct.”
The German Paralympic Committee confirmed the nature of the demonstration, stating: “This was an expression of solidarity with their friends, the Ukrainian athletes.” Ukraine’s Paralympic committee issued a statement on Wednesday accusing both the IPC and Games organisers of subjecting its delegation to “systematic pressure” throughout the competition.
The committee alleged its team had encountered “openly negative manifestations and even obstacles,” citing the relocation of a Ukrainian flag from their headquarters to a less prominent position. Family members of Para-biathlon champion Taras Rad reportedly had flags and scarves confiscated while spectating, according to the statement.
Gold medallist Oleksandra Kononova received a warning after an IPC representative requested she remove earrings bearing the Ukrainian flag and the phrase “stop war” before a podium appearance. IPC communications chief Craig Spence acknowledged the incident, stating staff “politely asked for them to be removed” as they breached rules prohibiting political messaging. The athlete complied.
In a space where sportsmanship often coexists uneasily with national politics, this protest serves as a stark reminder of the intricate ties that bind competition and global affairs, illuminating the ongoing challenges faced by athletes amid broader geopolitical tensions.
