No opening ceremony, but with support: how Ukraine will watch the Paralympics
20 February 20:44
Public Broadcasting refused to broadcast the opening ceremony of the XIV Winter Paralympic Games-2026 due to the participation of athletes from Russia and Belarus, reports "Komersant Ukrainian".
The media company supported the decision of the Ukrainian national team not to participate in the celebrations.
At the same time, Suspilne emphasized that it would remain the official broadcaster of the Games and would show the performances of Ukrainian Paralympians during the competition days.
Why was this decision made?
The broadcaster’s statement says that inviting representatives of “the aggressor state and its satellite” is unacceptable to Ukrainian society in the context of a full-scale war.
According to the organizers, the International Paralympic Committee sent last-minute invitations to six Russian and four Belarusian athletes to compete in the 2026 Games — under their national flags.
The Ukrainian team announced a boycott of the opening ceremony. Ukrainian officials also publicly supported the decision not to participate in the celebrations.
Ukraine’s position: participation — yes, legitimization — no
The president of the National Paralympic Committee of Ukraine, Valery Sushkevich, previously stated that the team does not plan to boycott the Games themselves. According to him, there are no combatants among the admitted Russian athletes.
However, the IPC’s decision to allow athletes to compete under their national flags was a red line for Ukraine.
Suspilne called this part of a “systematic policy of legitimizing the presence of Russia and Belarus on the world stage.”
The IOC’s decision contrasts with the position of individual countries. The government of Italy, where the Games will be held, has opposed the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes under national symbols.
The Games will take place from March 6 to 15, 2026, in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo. A total of 79 sets of medals are planned.
The situation is unfolding against the backdrop of heated discussions in world sport about the participation of athletes from countries at war in international competitions.
Previous precedents
The debate intensified after the International Olympic Committee’s decision to disqualify Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych, who planned to compete in the 2026 Olympics wearing a “memorial helmet.”
For Ukraine, this was a sign of double standards in the approaches of international sports organizations.
What this means for viewers
Despite the boycott of the opening ceremony, Suspilne will broadcast the competition on its TV channel, website, and YouTube platform “Suspilne Sport,” as well as on regional channels.
