Sawt Falasteen - Russian athletes booed as they parade under own flag at Paralympics opening

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Russian athletes booed as they parade under own flag at Paralympics opening / Photo: Stefano RELLANDINI - AFP

Russian athletes booed as they parade under own flag at Paralympics opening

POLITICS 06.03.2026

Russian athletes were booed by some spectators as they paraded under their own flag at the Milan-Cortina Winter Paralympics opening ceremony on Friday.

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The build-up to the showpiece has been overshadowed by the International Paralympic Committee's decision to allow Russian athletes to compete under their flag rather than neutrals for the first time since 2014, despite Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine.

In response, a handful of countries led by Ukraine boycotted the ceremony in the historic Verona Arena.

The IPC has allowed six Russian athletes and four from their allies Belarus to represent their countries.

Russia's designated flagbearers were cross-country skier Anastasiia Bagiian and alpine skier Aleksei Bugaev.

Shortly after Russia made their appearance, Ukraine were represented by two volunteers carrying the country's flag but no athletes or dignitaries were present.

The sight of the Ukrainian flag was greeted by a long round of applause.

Y.Shaath--SF-PST

Sawt Falasteen - Russian athletes booed as they parade under own flag at Paralympics opening

Russian athletes booed as they parade under own flag at Paralympics opening

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