IPC Approves Russian, Belarusian Athletes Under Flags for 2026 Paralympics

The International Paralympic Committee has approved the participation of six Russian and four Belarusian athletes under their national flags at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Paralympics, reversing prior restrictions imposed after Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine and drawing sharp condemnation from Ukrainian officials.

The decision, announced on Tuesday, allows the athletes to compete from March 6 to 15 in northern Italy's alpine regions. Russia received two slots each in para alpine skiing, para cross-country skiing, and para snowboarding. Belarus was allocated four spots, all in para cross-country skiing, including one male and three female competitors. The IPC stated that these athletes will be treated like those from any other nation, following the reinstatement of full membership rights for the Russian and Belarusian National Paralympic Committees.

This move stems from a series of developments that lifted earlier sanctions. Both countries faced full bans from Paralympic events immediately after the invasion, with Belarus implicated as a staging ground for Russian forces. A partial suspension took effect in 2023, permitting athletes to compete only as neutrals without flags...