Seven countries and the British government have announced they will boycott the opening ceremony of the Winter Paralympics in protest at the inclusion of Russian and Belarusian athletes. The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) confirmed that the Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Ukraine will not send athletes or officials to Friday night's ceremony.
Great Britain will also not send any official representation to the event, though the UK government stressed its opposition to Russian athletes competing under their own flag. "We have been clear that the Russian and Belarusian states should not be represented in international sport while the barbaric full-scale invasion of Ukraine is ongoing," a government spokesperson said. However, Sports Minister Stephanie Peacock will be in Cortina "purely to support our inspirational ParalympicsGB athletes."
IPC President Andrew Parsons defended the decision to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete under their own flags for the first time since 2014. He noted that the IPC General Assembly voted in September 2025 to lift the suspension, following full suspension in 2022 and partial suspension in 2023. "We cannot pick and choose when to be democratic," Parsons said.
Parsons acknowledged the decision has been unpopular in some parts of the world but stressed the IPC's focus remains on delivering the best Paralympic Winter Games. The event marks the 50th anniversary of the Winter Paralympics and is expected to be the largest in its history, with 612 athletes from 56 countries competing across venues from Milan to Cortina.
Meanwhile, the IPC is monitoring geopolitical tensions, including the conflict in the Middle East, which could affect participation. "Our thoughts are with those affected," Parsons said, adding that the IPC is assessing the impact on the Games and the wider Paralympic movement.
