Ukraine will boycott opening ceremony of 2026 Winter Paralympic Games due to presence of athletes from Russia and Belarus

The National Paralympic Committee of Ukraine has stated that the team will not take part in the opening ceremony of the Winter Games-2026.

Source: National Paralympic Committee of Ukraine's website

Details: This decision was made due to the presence of Russian and Belarusian athletes. Ukraine is also demanding that the blue-and-yellow flag not be used at the official event.

"We will fight for sporting victories of Ukrainian athletes at the XIV Winter Paralympic Games and, together with athletes from other countries, uphold the principles of fairness in Paralympic sport, supporting the main goal of the Paralympic Games as the world's highest sports forum," the statement says.

Background:

• Valerii Sushkevych, the president of the National Paralympic Committee of Ukraine, emphasised that the team will not boycott the competitions themselves, as such a step would play into the hands of Russian leader Vladimir Putin.
• Media reported that the opening of the Paralympics-2026 will be boycotted by the Ministry of Sport and Tourism of Poland and Ukrainian officials.
• Earlier, Matvii Bidnyi, Minister of Youth and Sports of Ukraine, expressed disappointment over the admission of 10 athletes from Russia and Belarus into this year's Paralympic Games.
• It should be added that in September 2024 the International Paralympic Committee fully reinstated the Russian Paralympic Committee.
• The Winter Paralympics-2026 in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo will take place from 6 to 15 March.

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