Ukraine protests Winter Paralympics for lifting Russia ban

On 24 Jan 2026, Ukraine’s sports minister Matvii Bidnyi accused Paralympic organisers of allowing Russia to be sports‑washed after the International Paralympic Committee lifted a ban on Russian competitors. The decision could bring athletes from Russia and war ally Belarus back to the 2026 Winter Paralympics in Milan‑Cortina, Italy, in March, potentially competing under their national flags. Bidnyi cited the use of Russian sports facilities in Crimea and the 2014 Sochi Games as evidence of Russia’s ongoing conflict with Ukraine. The IOC, led by Kirsty Coventry, had barred Russian athletes for breaching its charter over occupation of Ukrainian territory. Ukraine, along with Britain and other 30 countries, now calls for Russia’s Paralympic Committee to be sanctioned and for no Russian or Belarusian participation under their flags.