The Milan-Cortina Paralympics ended amid boycotts, disputes over Russia and Belarus, Ukrainian complaints about restrictions, and visible protests during medal ceremonies.
The XIV Winter Paralympic Games began on March 6 in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo. At these competitions, after a 12-year hiatus, the Russian team participated, whose status was fully restored by the International Paralympic Committee in September.
At the 2026 Paralympics, Russian and Belarusian athletes will compete under their flags and with their anthems. After the IPC decision, Ukraine and 13 other countries boycotted the opening ceremony.
At the 2026 Milan Olympics, at least 37 athletes linked to Russia are competing for other countries. Some left after 2022, and several have already won medals for their new teams and say they will not return.
At the Milan Olympics, American skater Alysa Liu won women’s singles gold. Adeliia Petrosian’s sixth-place finish and her remarks afterward revived debate over the cost of Russia’s harsh training system.