The Ukrainian Paralympic Committee has announced a boycott of the Milano Cortina Paralympics opening ceremony on March 6 in Verona, due to the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes under their national flags.
The International Paralympic Committee has allocated 10 combined slots to Russian and Belarusian athletes, a decision that has created tension ahead of the Games. Ukrainian competitors will still participate in the Paralympics, but their officials will not attend.
Ukraine's Sports Minister Matvii Bidnyi confirmed the boycott, citing the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia. The Ukrainian Paralympic Committee stated that it is outraged by the International Paralympic Committee's decision to grant bipartite slots to Russia and Belarus.
Russia has been excluded from much international competition due to the war, and the country's participation in the Paralympics has sparked controversy. Russian athletes will compete in Para alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, and snowboarding, while Belarusian athletes will participate in cross-country skiing.
Ukrainian skeleton competitor Vladyslav Heraskevych, who was disqualified from the Winter Games for wearing a helmet commemorating athletes killed in the war, said that it is offensive to allow Russian athletes to participate in the Games. The International Paralympic Committee said it is in contact with Ukraine's Paralympic Committee and will discuss the matter internally.
Source: Reuters
