Ukraine has protested against allowing Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete under their own flags at the Paralympic Winter Games in Milan and Cortina. No wonder. After all, Russia is ruthlessly destroying their country. The International Olympic Committee allows athletes from Russia and Belarus to compete as neutrals, but the International Paralympic Committee has decided to allow them to represent their countries at the games. Not only Ukraine does not like this, but also the Poles. The European Union is also opposed.

Boycott of the ceremony from Poland

On Wednesday, Ukraine’s Minister of Youth and Sports Matviy Bidnyj spoke out on social media. “This is a really dangerous signal. I think it is irresponsible behaviour, an irresponsible decision that can encourage the aggressor,” he said. He said the move was outrageous and he was disappointed. Moreover, the decision came after a Ukrainian skeleton athlete was disqualified from his discipline because of a helmet with photos of deceased Ukrainian athletes.

The participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes under their own flag is also disliked by the Polish leadership. Representatives of the Ministry of Sport and Tourism will not attend the opening ceremony. According to the Polish Ministry, the participation of athletes in the planned format is absolutely unacceptable. The Ministry takes into account the invasion of Ukraine in its decision. Indeed, the Polish Paralympic Committee is also considering a boycott.

━━ ( Source: Julio Hernández /  Unsplash+ )

Paralympic Committee

The Polish Paralympic Committee is in the balance for now. It has not fully decided to boycott the opening ceremony, but it is not out of the question. The president of the Polish Paralympic Committee criticises the decision and considers it scandalous. President Szeliga says the decision is the result of Russian lobbying. He said activists sought support from committees in less wealthy countries to vote for athletes from Russia and Belarus.

Europe doesn’t like it

Disapproval of the commission’s actions comes not only from embattled Ukraine and Poland, but also from the European Union. The latter has opted for a diplomatic boycott. The European Commissioner for Sport, Glenn Micallef, called the decision to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to participate under their own flags completely unacceptable. Glenn Micallef stressed on the social network X that as long as Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine continues, he cannot support the return of symbols that are inextricably linked to this conflict.

They will be equal

The International Paralympic Committee has awarded places to ten athletes from both countries for the Games, which will be held from 6 to 15 March in Milan and Cortina. “A total of six places have been allocated to the Russian Paralympic Committee… The Belarusian committee has been allocated four places,” the IPC said. IPC spokesman Craig Spence said the athletes would be treated like athletes from “any other country”. Athletes from Russia and Belarus were barred from competing in 2022 and could only compete as neutral teams a year later. But last September, the IPC lifted the partial suspension and restored both committees to full member status.

There is talk that politics should stay out of the sport. It is clear that many athletes are not to blame for what is happening. But representing a country means that I approve of what is happening in that country. Anyone is free to live anywhere in the world. Everyone has the opportunity to represent another country in sport. If these athletes from Russia or Belarus win medals, are we really going to celebrate the country of the aggressor who is attacking Ukraine and threatening the whole of Europe, and indeed the whole world?