Ukraine to Boycott Paralympic Games Ceremony Due to Russian Participation

The International Paralympic Committee has allocated 10 combined slots to Russian and Belarusian athletes for the upcoming Milano Cortina Paralympics. Ukrainian competitors will boycott the opening ceremony on March 6 in Verona due to the inclusion of some Russian and Belarusian athletes.

The IPC has allocated a total of 10 combined slots to Russian and Belarusian athletes, which has sparked controversy among Ukrainian officials. The Ukrainian National Paralympic Committee has announced that it will boycott the opening ceremony and demand that its flag not be used during the event.

Russia will have two spots in Para alpine skiing, two in cross-country skiing, and two in snowboarding, while Belarus was awarded four places, all in cross-country skiing. The Ukrainian National Paralympic Committee stated that neither Russia nor Belarus went through the qualification process to obtain licenses to participate in the Paralympic Games.

The IPC is in contact with Ukraine’s Paralympic Committee and will discuss the matter internally. Ukraine’s Sports Minister Matvii Bidnyi has confirmed that Ukrainian officials will boycott the ceremony, while the nation’s athletes will still compete. The Ukrainian National Paralympic Committee also expressed outrage over the IPC’s decision, stating that it is “horrific military aggression on the territory of Ukraine”.

Source: Al Jazeera