Story perspectives

Ukraine Boycotts Paralympics Over Russian Athlete Inclusion

2/20/2026

Summary

Story summary

Ukraine's Paralympic team will boycott the Milano Cortina Paralympics opening ceremony on March 6 to protest Russian and Belarusian athletes.
The International Paralympic Committee allocated 10 spots to Russian and Belarusian athletes.
Ukrainian Sports Minister Matvii Bidnyi condemned the IPC's decision as outrageous and said officials will not attend.
The Italian government and European Union Sports Commissioner Glenn Micallef have expressed disapproval.

History

Historical Context

The International Paralympic Committee's decision in 2022 to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete sparked outrage amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which has claimed over 14,000 lives since 2014. Ukrainian Sports Minister Matvii Bidnyi's criticism highlights the intersection of sports and geopolitics, as Ukraine's boycott of the Milano Cortina Paralympics underscores the lasting impact of these tensions on international athletic events.

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Story summary

Ukraine's Paralympic team will boycott the Milano Cortina Paralympics opening ceremony on March 6 to protest Russian and Belarusian athletes.
The International Paralympic Committee allocated 10 spots to Russian and Belarusian athletes.
Ukrainian Sports Minister Matvii Bidnyi condemned the IPC's decision as outrageous and said officials will not attend.
The Italian government and European Union Sports Commissioner Glenn Micallef have expressed disapproval.

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