The 2026 Paralympic Games have concluded, with Ukraine achieving notable success on the final day, securing two medals in cross-country skiing.
Ukrainian para-athlete Oleksandra Kononova earned a bronze medal in the women’s standing 20 km race, while Oleksandr Kazik claimed a silver in the visually impaired category. Overall, Ukraine finished the Games with a total of 19 medals, comprising three golds, eight silvers, and eight bronzes. All gold medals were won in biathlon, specifically in the sprint events, with Kononova, Taras Rad, and Kazik emerging as champions in their respective classes.
In the overall medal standings, Ukraine ranked seventh. China topped the medal table with 44 medals, including 15 golds, surpassing the United States, which secured 24 medals, 13 of which were gold.
Medal Standings for the Top 10 at the 2026 Paralympics:
- 1. China — 15 gold, 13 silver, 16 bronze = 44
- 2. USA — 13 gold, 5 silver, 6 bronze = 24
- 3. Germany — 8 gold, 8 silver, 8 bronze = 24
- 4. Italy — 7 gold, 7 silver, 2 bronze = 16
- 5. Austria — 7 gold, 2 silver, 4 bronze = 13
- 6. France — 4 gold, 4 silver, 4 bronze = 12
- 7. Ukraine — 3 gold, 8 silver, 8 bronze = 19
- 8. Canada — 3 gold, 4 silver, 8 bronze = 15
- 9. Netherlands — 3 gold, 3 silver, 1 bronze = 7
- 10. Sweden — 3 gold, 0 silver, 4 bronze = 7
This seventh-place finish marks Ukraine’s lowest medal tally in the past 24 years. The last time the Ukrainian team performed at a similar level was during the 2002 Games in Salt Lake City, where they ended in 18th place with 12 medals, none of which were gold.
Ukraine’s Historical Performance at the Winter Paralympic Games:
- Nagano 1998: 3 gold, 2 silver, 4 bronze — 14th place
- Salt Lake City 2002: 0 gold, 6 silver, 6 bronze — 18th place
- Turin 2006: 7 gold, 9 silver, 9 bronze — 3rd place
- Vancouver 2010: 5 gold, 8 silver, 6 bronze — 5th place
- Sochi 2014: 5 gold, 9 silver, 11 bronze — 4th place
- Pyeongchang 2018: 7 gold, 7 silver, 8 bronze — 5th place
- Beijing 2022: 11 gold, 10 silver, 8 bronze — 2nd place
- Milan-Cortina 2026: 3 gold, 8 silver, 8 bronze — 7th place
Ukraine's performance at the 2026 Paralympic Games resulted in a total of 19 medals, including three golds, marking a significant decline in their historical standings. This seventh-place finish is the country's lowest in over two decades, reflecting a shift in competitive dynamics.