CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, Italy — The 2024 Milan Cortina Winter Paralympics have become a stage for geopolitical tensions as Ukrainian athletes express profound discomfort with the reinstatement of Russian national symbols at the games. This marks the first appearance of the Russian flag and anthem at a major international sporting event since the nation’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
The symbolic return occurred despite Ukraine’s boycott of both opening and closing ceremonies. The situation reached a poignant moment during Saturday’s Para cross-country mixed relay, where Ukrainian and Russian teams competed simultaneously. Ukraine secured silver while Russia finished sixth.
Ukrainian skier Iryna Bui, speaking through a translator, described the experience as “painful and unpleasant” given the ongoing conflict between their nations. Bui, who won silver in women’s Para biathlon sprint pursuit standing, expressed shock at seeing “this flag that is soaked in blood of Ukrainians” displayed at an international competition.
The International Paralympic Committee granted wildcard entries to Russian athletes, ending their neutral status period resulting from previous doping violations and military conflicts. This decision has signaled Russia’s potential full return to Olympic circles ahead of the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles.
Ukrainian team captain Hryhorii Vovchynskii, who is married to Bui, questioned the ethics of allowing a nation actively at war with Ukraine to participate. He reported that Ukrainian athletes have attempted to mentally block the Russian presence, with some support from athletes of other nations.
Meanwhile, Russian athletes expressed national pride in their reinstatement. Para alpine skier Varvara Voronchikhina described seeing the Russian flag as “really special,” while snowboarder Filipp Shebbo called it “perfect” for Russian athletes who had “been waiting for this for a long time.”
The games unfolded against the backdrop of Europe’s largest conflict since World War II, now entering its fifth year with millions estimated casualties. Ukrainian athletes described competing under constant stress while maintaining communication with families in war-torn Ukraine, seeing their athletic achievements as a way to bring positive moments to their compatriots.