European Commissioner for Sport Glenn Micallef has announced he will boycott the Milan-Cortina Paralympic Games Opening Ceremony on March 6. The decision stems from the International Paralympic Committee's (IPC) reinstatement of Russian and Belarusian athletes competing under their national flags.
Micallef stated, “While Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine continues, I cannot support the reinstatement of national symbols, flags, anthems, and uniforms, that are inseparable from that conflict.”
The IPC confirmed that six Russian and four Belarusian athletes will be allowed to compete under their national banners this year, a departure from the previous prohibition implemented after Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Previously, these athletes were permitted to participate only as "individual neutral athletes" under strict conditions.
The IPC lifted its suspension in September 2024, a move followed by a Sports Administrative Court ruling in December that excluding Russian and Belarusian athletes from qualifying rounds violated international federation statutes. This led to the athletes' qualification for the Winter Paralympics.