Story perspectives

Cross-Country Skiers Protest Russian Anthem at Paralympics

3/12/2026

Summary

Story summary

Linn Kazmaier (German cross-country skier) and Florian Baumann protested during the medal ceremony at the Winter Paralympics in Milan-Cortina on March 10, 2026.
They turned their backs on Anastasiia Bagiian (Russian cross-country skier) and Sergei Siniakin (Russian cross-country skier) as the anthem played.
Russia competed under its flag for the first time since 2014, following a doping ban and the 2022 invasion.
The International Paralympic Committee is investigating the protest.

History

Historical Context

The 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics, held from February 7 to 23, faced severe allegations of state-sponsored doping, with a 2016 report revealing a systematic program involving over 1,000 athletes. This scandal led to the disqualification of 43 Russian athletes and the stripping of 13 medals. The ongoing fallout continues to impact Russia's participation in international sports and the governance of doping regulations.

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Story summary

Linn Kazmaier (German cross-country skier) and Florian Baumann protested during the medal ceremony at the Winter Paralympics in Milan-Cortina on March 10, 2026.
They turned their backs on Anastasiia Bagiian (Russian cross-country skier) and Sergei Siniakin (Russian cross-country skier) as the anthem played.
Russia competed under its flag for the first time since 2014, following a doping ban and the 2022 invasion.
The International Paralympic Committee is investigating the protest.

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