2026 Winter Paralympics boycott: seven countries protest Russian participation at ceremony

Seven countries will boycott the opening ceremony of the 2026 Winter Paralympics in protest over Russian and Belarusian athletes competing under their national flags.

According to the International Paralympic Committee, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Ukraine will not send athletes or officials to the ceremony in Verona on Friday night.

The British government also confirmed it will not send representatives to the event. Officials reiterated their opposition to Russia competing under its own flag, reported The Guardian.

“We have been clear that the Russian and Belarusian states should not be represented in international sport while the barbaric full-scale invasion of Ukraine is ongoing.”

However, the UK said its sports minister Stephanie Peacock will still attend events in Cortina to support Team GB athletes.

International Paralympic Committee president Andrew Parsons defended the decision to allow Russian athletes to compete under their national flag.

“Our clear focus remains on supporting all stakeholders arriving and preparing to deliver the best Paralympic Winter Games,” Parsons said.

He added that the decision was made through the IPC’s voting process: “I acknowledge this decision has not been well received in some parts of the world.”

The 2026 Winter Paralympics will mark the 50th anniversary of the Winter Games, with about 612 athletes from 56 countries expected to compete across venues in Milan and Cortina.