Ukraine to boycott Milano Cortina Winter Paralympics over IPC decision
Ukrainian government officials have announced their decision to boycott next month’s Milano Cortina Winter Paralympics, following the International Paralympic Committee’s ruling that allows Russian and Belarusian competitors to participate under their national flags, reports BritPanorama.
The IPC revealed on Tuesday that a total of 10 athletes from the two countries would compete in the Games, set to take place from 6 to 15 March. This marks the first time since 2014 that Russian competitors are permitted to represent their nation at the Paralympics, having previously been required to compete under a neutral banner.
Sports Minister Matviy Bidnyi made the boycott announcement on Wednesday, clarifying that while Ukrainian athletes will still compete, no government representatives will attend any events associated with the Games. “In response to the outrageous decision to let Russians and Belarusians compete under their national flags, Ukrainian public officials will not attend the Paralympic Games,” Mr. Bidnyi stated. “We will not be present at the opening ceremony. We will not take part in any other official Paralympic events.”
The minister further urged other nations to follow this boycott, expressing gratitude to “every official from the free world who will do the same.” Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga echoed this sentiment, appealing to allied countries to reject the opening ceremony. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has also voiced strong criticism of the IPC’s decision, branding it as “completely the wrong decision.” On social media, Ms Nandy argued that allowing Russian and Belarusian athletes to represent their countries while the conflict in Ukraine continues “sends a terrible message.”
Britain, along with 32 other countries, predominantly from Europe, signed a joint statement expressing “serious concern” when IPC members voted in September to lift the partial suspensions imposed on Russia and Belarus. In past instances, the IPC had banned Russian participation in the wake of a state-sponsored doping programme in 2016 and subsequently after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
IPC President Andrew Parsons defended the organisation’s ruling last year, remarking that Russian participation in the Games “is not linked to participation in wars.” He did acknowledge that both Russia and Belarus previously exploited Paralympic sport for their propaganda, which triggered the 2023 suspension. However, he asserted there is now “less evidence” of the Games being used for war propaganda.
As the Winter Paralympics approach, the decision has ignited a complex debate about the intersection of sports and geopolitics, leaving many to contemplate the ramifications of this significant ruling.
