The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) is investigating a protest by German cross-country skiers during the women's sprint classic medal ceremony. Germany's silver medalists, Linn Kazmaier and Florian Baumann, turned their backs on the Russian winners and kept their hats on during the event.
Russia and Belarus were readmitted to Paralympic competitions by the IPC last September, following their ban after Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The Russian team had previously been suspended due to a doping scandal.
"With Germany, we are aware of the situation, gathering evidence and analysing it," stated Craig Spence, the IPC's chief brand and communications officer. Russia has secured six medals at the current Paralympics, including four golds.
Kazmaier described the medal ceremony as "completely strange," expressing that while she doesn't know the Russians personally, "it's such a shame that politics overshadows everything." Baumann added, "This is not about the Russian athletes... but I simply do not think it is right that the IPC has decided that Russia can compete here under its own flag, with its own anthem and with a full band, while the Ukrainians are also here."