Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has publicly criticized the International Paralympic Committee’s (IPC) decision to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete under their national flags. In an interview with British journalist Piers Morgan on February 18, Zelensky described the ruling as “disgraceful and unjust,” drawing parallels between the IPC’s actions and the gradual escalation of Russian aggression in Ukraine.
Earlier on the same day, Ukraine’s Minister of Youth and Sports, Matviy Bidny, announced that Ukrainian government representatives would boycott the upcoming Paralympic Games in Italy, citing the IPC’s decision as “outrageous.” This sentiment was echoed by Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, who characterized the allowance of national flags for Russia and Belarus as morally and politically inappropriate given the ongoing conflict.
The IPC had previously informed agencies such as AFP and SID that a limited number of athletes from Russia and Belarus would be permitted to compete under their national flags. According to the committee, these athletes would be treated like representatives from any other country.
The Winter Paralympic Games are scheduled to take place in Milan from March 6 to March 15. This decision comes amid heightened tensions as Ukraine continues to face military aggression from Russia.
As the Winter Olympics unfold in Italy, Ukraine is represented by 46 athletes competing in 11 sports. Notably, one Ukrainian athlete, skeleton competitor Vladyslav Heraskevych, was disqualified just hours before his event for refusing to remove a helmet featuring images of Ukrainian athletes who have died during the war.
Ukrainian officials have condemned the IPC's decision to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete under their national flags, citing moral and political concerns amid ongoing conflict. The Ukrainian government plans to boycott the upcoming Paralympic Games in response to this ruling.