Ukrainian biathlete reprimanded for wearing “Stop War” earrings at the 2026 Paralympics
9 March 03:09
Ukrainian para-biathlete Oleksandra Kononova said in an exclusive comment to the media that she received a warning from representatives of the International Paralympic Committee for wearing earrings with the inscription “Stop War” during the race.
This was reported by "Komersant Ukrainian" with reference to Suspilne.
Kononova won her second individual medal at the 2026 Paralympic Games. First, the Ukrainian won the para-biathlon sprint in the standing class, and then won bronze in the individual race.
After the competition, Kononova spoke about a comment from the competition organizers regarding her earrings with the inscription “Stop War.” The Ukrainian athlete competed in them on the first day of the competition.
The next day, the biathlete appeared wearing different patriotic earrings. However, she received a comment about the earrings with the inscription “Stop War.”
“After the sprint], they made a comment, saying that according to the rules, the inscription ‘Stop War’ on earrings is not allowed, even though I ran in them. I feel comfortable because I was ready for them to make a comment. This is my emotional state when I wear patriotic earrings, clothes, uniforms, and flags. It means a lot to me, I live for it, I work for it. This is what inspires me in sports: my country, my anthem, my flag. Everything related to this is with me.”
At the Olympic Games in Milan, a number of athletes were banned from competing in patriotic attire. For example, freestyle skier Kateryna Kotsar was not allowed to compete in a helmet with the inscription “Be brave like Ukrainians,” and short track speed skater Oleg Handey was not allowed to compete in a helmet with a quote from poet Lina Kostenko. Vladyslav Heraskevych was disqualified altogether for his intention to compete in a memorial helmet depicting deceased Ukrainian athletes.
