Paralympics open with Russian athletes booed in ceremony
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Members of Russia's delegation taking part in the opening ceremony for the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Paralympic Games on March 6.
PHOTO: AFP
VERONA – The 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Paralympics started on March 6, with an opening ceremony marked by Russian athletes being booed as they paraded behind their national flag for the first time since 2014.
Despite Russia’s ongoing war with Ukraine, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has allowed six Russian athletes and four from its ally Belarus to represent their countries, accompanied by their national flags, rather than competing as neutrals.
The move sparked a major backlash, with Ukraine, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland all boycotting the ceremony in the historic Verona Arena.
IPC president Andrew Parsons justified the decision by citing the vote taken by its general assembly in September, in favour of Russia and Belarus returning under their flags for the first time since 2014, when Russia invaded and later claimed to have annexed the Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea.
Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
With war now also raging in the Middle East, it was the third time in four editions that the Winter Paralympics have opened with a conflict starting days before the Games.
“Four years ago, I said I was horrified at what was happening in the world,” Parsons said during the opening ceremony.
“Unfortunately, the situation has not changed. In a world where some countries are better known by the names of their leaders, I prefer to know countries by the names of their athletes.”
In the presence of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Italian President Sergio Mattarella, the ceremony started with a drumming performance from Stewart Copeland of The Police.
After a stripped-back performance of the national anthem of Italy, the athletes’ parade got under way flanked by volunteers.
Most nations boasted no more than two athletes during the parade. Videos were also displayed onstage of some delegations that were unable to attend due to sporting action in the Games starting at 0830 GMT (4.30pm, Singapore time) on March 7.
The Russian delegation of four athletes were booed by sections of the spectators, as well as some volunteers.
The boycotting nations were represented by two volunteers carrying the countries’ flags, but no athletes or dignitaries paraded with them.
The sight of the Ukrainian flag was greeted by a long round of applause.
Ukraine’s flag was greeted by a long round of applause at the parade, which was boycotted by the country’s athletes and dignitaries.
PHOTO: EPA
In his speech, the president of the local organising committee Giovanni Malago said: “The message of peace, inclusion and solidarity at the heart of the Olympic and Paralympic movement is more meaningful and more important than ever.”
The Paralympics follow the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics that closed on Feb 22.
As Russia returns to competition under its own colours and with the US and Israel beginning their war on Iran during the Olympic truce period, many fear that the feats and stories of over 600 athletes could be lost on the 50th anniversary of the Paralympics.
The IPC announced earlier on March 6 that Iran’s sole competitor, cross-country skier Aboulfazl Khatibi Mianaei, had been forced to pull out due to the ongoing war.
“It is really disappointing for world sport and especially for Aboulfazl that he is unable to travel safely to compete at his third Paralympic Winter Games,” Parsons said in a statement. AFP
