sports
February 19, 2026
Hosts Italy voice ‘absolute opposition’ to Russia flag flying at Winter Paralympics
Italian government urges IPC to reconsider its stance
TL;DR
- Italy, the host of the Winter Paralympics, is calling for a reversal of the decision to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete with national flags and anthems.
- The Italian government believes the IPC's decision contradicts the Olympic spirit due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
- Italy's stance is echoed by 33 other countries and the European Commission.
- Russia's embassy in Italy called the decision offensive towards athletes with disabilities.
- Ukraine will not send any officials to the Paralympics.
- Russia and Belarus had regained full rights in the IPC after being banned following the 2022 invasion, despite international federations initially maintaining bans.
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