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IPC Upholds Return of Russian and Belarusian Flags for Milan-Cortina Paralympics

The committee says a General Assembly vote set non‑reversible rules, with 10 athlete invitations issued for the two delegations.

Overview

  • IPC president Andrew Parsons said the decision allowing national flags and anthems "cannot be overturned by the board or by myself."
  • Russia received six slots across Para alpine skiing, cross‑country skiing and snowboarding, while Belarus was allocated four slots in cross‑country skiing.
  • Ukraine will boycott the March 6 opening ceremony in Verona, the Czech Paralympic Committee will do the same, and some Polish officials also plan to stay away.
  • Host Italy has urged the IPC to reverse course, as the committee maintains dialogue with organizers and reports no additional formal withdrawals from ceremonies.
  • The Games run March 6–15, marking the first potential use of Russia’s flag at a Paralympics since 2014 and anthem at a major event since 2016, contrasting with IOC neutrality at the just‑concluded Winter Olympics.