Scandal at the Paralympics: Poland announces boycott over Russia and Belarus
19 February 00:34
Polish athletes and representatives of the Polish Ministry of Sport and Tourism have refused to participate in the opening ceremony of the 2026 Winter Paralympic Games. The reason for this decision was the admission of Russian and Belarusian athletes to the competition with the use of national symbols.
This was officially announced by the Polish Ministry of Sport and Tourism on social network X, according to "Komersant Ukrainian".
Poland has announced a boycott of the opening ceremony of the 2026 Paralympics
The Polish ministry emphasized that it would not participate in the opening ceremony of the Games due to the International Paralympic Committee’s decision to allow athletes from Russia and Belarus to compete.
The statement reads:
“In connection with the International Paralympic Committee’s decision to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete in the XIV Winter Paralympic Games in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo using their national symbols, representatives of the Ministry of Sport and Tourism will not participate in the opening ceremony of the Games.”
Thus, the Polish delegation will officially boycott the opening ceremony, although the athletes will continue to participate in the competitions themselves.
The reason for the boycott is the participation of Russia and Belarus under their own flags
Poland has emphasized that the participation of athletes from Russia and Belarus under their national flags and using national symbols is unacceptable against the backdrop of a full-scale war against Ukraine.
The Polish Ministry of Sport stressed that, in the context of ongoing Russian aggression, such decisions by international sports organizations are a cause for serious concern.
Poland is one of Ukraine’s key allies and has repeatedly called for the complete isolation of Russian and Belarusian athletes in the international arena.
How many Russian and Belarusian athletes will compete in the Paralympics
According to the organizers, the following athletes have been admitted to participate in the 2026 Winter Paralympics:
- 6 athletes from Russia
- 4 athletes from Belarus
They have been granted the right to compete using national symbols, which has led to a boycott by Poland.
When and where will the 2026 Winter Paralympics take place?
The 2026 Winter Paralympics will take place:
- from March 6, 2026
- in the cities of Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo (Italy)
This will be the 14th Winter Paralympics, with athletes from around the world participating.
Poland consistently supports Ukraine in its sporting isolation from Russia
Poland has repeatedly advocated for restrictions on the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes in international competitions since the start of Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine.
The boycott of the Paralympic opening ceremony was another political signal of protest against the return of athletes from aggressor states to the international arena.
