4th March 2026: Russia's exile from world sports events ends

Its athletes compete under their national flag despite its ongoing war with Ukraine. The Paralympics that start this weekend see six athletes from Russia and four from Belarus representing their countries, accompanied by their national flags, and potentially their anthems if they win gold medals.

The opening ceremony is this Friday with the Games ending on Sunday 15th March.

Last year, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) lifted its partial ban on athletes from the two countries competing at the Games. However, the IPC does not govern the six sports contested at the Paralympics. The individual bodies - including the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) - refused to lift their own bans, but Russia and Belarus then won an appeal to the Court of Arbitration of Sport (Cas) against FIS.

As a result, athletes have been able to return to FIS competitions and the 10 athletes have been awarded bipartite commission invitations in order to compete in Milan-Cortina.

Ukrainian Opposition

Ukraine is strongly opposed to the move. According to its sports minister, Russia has killed more than 650 Ukrainian athletes and coaches, and damaged 814 sports facilities.

Broader Conflict Impact

The Paralympics are already impacted by concerns over travel disruption because of the US-Israel war with Iran: IOC re-iterates support for Olympic Truce; Questions over Paralympics after US/Israel strike on Iran.