Ukraine will not send officials to the 2026 Paralympic Winter Games in protest of a decision to permit Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete under their national flags. The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has lifted a three-year ban, allowing athletes from Russia and Belarus to use national symbols. Russia has been awarded six slots across Para alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, and Para snowboard. Belarus received four slots in cross-country skiing. The Games are set to begin March 6.
Ukraine's Minister of Youth and Sports, Matvii Bidnyi, called the IPC's decision "disappointing and outrageous." While Ukrainian athletes will still compete, officials will not attend any Paralympic events. Some European officials, including EU Commissioner for Sport Glenn Micallef and U.K. Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Lisa Nandy, have also condemned the decision, stating it sends the wrong message amid Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine.