Russians and Belarusians will be able to compete under their national flags at the Paralympics

Russian and Belarusian athletes will be able to compete under their own national flags at the 2026 Paralympic Games in Milan-Cortina. The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has confirmed that six Russians and four Belarusians will be "considered as representatives of any other country."

This is a significant change from the period after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, when they were banned from appearing under state symbols.

The IPC lifted the suspension of their participation last September. Previously, athletes could only compete as neutrals, with the original total ban later being eased to a partial restriction.

Russia received six wild cards in alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, and snowboarding, while Belarus received four spots in cross-country skiing.

(mja)