The 2026 Winter Paralympics in Milan-Cortina saw the Russian flag flown at the opening ceremony for the first time in over a decade, though the event was marked by protest and disruption.
Opening Ceremony Boycott
Sixteen countries, including Ukraine and Australia, boycotted the opening ceremony at Verona Arena in protest of Russia’s inclusion. Ukrainian Foreign Affairs Minister Andrii Sybiha stated on social media that Australia’s decision was “a principled decision,” adding that allowing the display of Russian and Belarusian symbols “undermines international efforts to isolate those regimes amid Russia’s ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine – and remains unacceptable.”
Russia and Belarus were represented by only two athletes each, following a decision by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) to invite ten athletes from both countries to compete under their national flags. Other nations joining the boycott included the Czech Republic, Finland, and Poland.
Disruptions Beyond the Boycott
The opening ceremony also faced challenges stemming from global events. Severely disrupted global air travel, following joint military strikes by the US and Israel in Iran, impacted attendance. Iran’s sole Paralympian, Abolfazl Khatibi Mianaei, was forced to withdraw from the Games due to travel difficulties.
Giovanni Malago, head of the 2026 Olympic and Paralympic organising committee, called for peace during his address, acknowledging the “deeply divided world” and “worst grief and suffering” of the current moment. Twenty-nine of the 55 participating countries did not send athletes to the ceremony due to scheduling constraints.
Athlete Focus
Australian alpine skier Georgia Gunew is making her Paralympic debut. Fellow Australian flag bearer Ben Tudhope opted out of the ceremony, as his snowboard cross competition begins the following day. Tudhope is seeking his first gold medal at his fourth Paralympic Games, having previously won a bronze medal at the 2022 Beijing Games – Australia’s only medal at those Games.
Frequently Asked Questions
What countries boycotted the opening ceremony?
Ukraine, Australia, Czech Republic, Finland, and Poland were among the 16 countries that boycotted the opening ceremony.
How many athletes are representing Russia and Belarus?
Russia and Belarus are each represented by two athletes at the 2026 Winter Paralympics.
What other factors disrupted the opening ceremony?
Severely disrupted global air travel following military strikes, and the inability of Iran’s sole Paralympian to travel safely to Italy, contributed to disruptions at the ceremony.
How will these political tensions impact the remainder of the Paralympic Games?
