Winter Paralympics: Russia Flies Flag With First Medals Since 2014 as Ukraine Stage Gold Rush

March 7, 2026

TL;DR

Russia earned their first Winter Paralympic medals since 2014, with Alpine skiers Varvara Voronchikhina and Aleksei Bugaev winning bronze.
Ukraine leads the medal table after a dominant performance on the opening day, securing gold medals in para biathlon events.
Ukraine's team boycotted the opening ceremony due to Russia's involvement but made a strong competitive start.
Austria's Veronika and Johannes Aigner won gold medals in the downhill events.
USA's Oksana Masters claimed her 20th Paralympic medal in the women's sitting sprint biathlon.
ParalympicsGB did not win medals on day one but had strong performances, with athletes in contention for finals.
Russia's participation under their own flag marks their return after a state-sponsored doping scandal and the invasion of Ukraine.

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