Russian Athletes Set for Paralympic Return Under National Flag
Russian athletes are poised to compete under their own flag at the Paralympics for the first time in more than a decade, marking a significant shift in international sports policy. The country's national anthem will also be played for any gold medalists, restoring a full national identity to their participation.
Announcement Signals Restoration Ahead of 2028 Games
Tuesday's announcement serves as a clear indicator that Russia and its national symbols are being fully reintegrated into Olympic circles well in advance of the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles. This move follows years of sanctions and bans related to doping scandals and geopolitical conflicts.
The International Paralympic Committee confirmed in a statement that Russia's National Paralympic Committee has been awarded six slots for the upcoming Milan Cortina Paralympic Games. This allocation includes two slots in Para alpine skiing, two in Para cross-country skiing, and two in Para snowboard.
Historical Context and Sanctions
This will be the first time a Russian flag has been flown at the Paralympics since the 2014 Games in Sochi, Russia. The initial ban was imposed due to a state-sponsored doping program, with sanctions further extended following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Should a Paralympic athlete win gold, it will mark the first occasion the Russian anthem has been played at a major global sporting event since the invasion. Russia's ally, Belarus, which has also been banned since 2022, will have four slots at the Milan Cortina Games, all in cross-country skiing.
Path to Reinstatement
In September, the IPC voted to lift partial suspensions of Russia and Belarus. However, IPC President Andrew Parsons noted in November that no athletes from these countries would compete at Milan Cortina due to maintained bans by sports governing bodies.
The situation changed in December when an appeal from Russia led the Court of Arbitration for Sport to overturn a blanket ban imposed by the International Ski and Snowboard Federation. This decision paved the way for Russian athletes to compete as neutral participants at the 2026 Olympics and with their own flag and anthem at the Paralympics.
Ongoing Olympic Suspensions
The Russian Olympic Committee remains suspended by the International Olympic Committee since 2023 for violating the Olympic charter by incorporating regional sports bodies in occupied eastern Ukraine. This decision is under legal review and could be overturned within months.
Following a system used in Paris in 2024, Russian athletes are currently competing at the Olympics as individual neutral athletes, without their flag, anthem, or team colors.
Notable Athletes and Competition Details
Russian media reports indicate that Aleksey Bugaev, a three-time Paralympic champion in Alpine skiing, is among the athletes granted slots. He is joined by cross-country skiers Ivan Golubkov and Anastasiia Bagiian, both of whom have won medals at world championships.
All three athletes returned to competition last month, with Bugaev and Bagiian subsequently securing World Cup titles. The Milan Cortina Paralympics is scheduled to take place from March 6 to 15, 2026.
