Russian Para Skiers Earn First Paralympic Medals Since 2014

Voronchikhina and Bugaev win bronze in downhill standing events, marking Russia's return to the Paralympics after years of sanctions.

Published on Mar. 7, 2026

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Para alpine skiers Varvara Voronchikhina and Aleksei Bugaev won bronze medals in the women's and men's downhill standing competitions at the 2026 Winter Paralympics in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy. This marks Russia's first Paralympic medals since the 2014 Sochi Games, after years of having to compete as neutral athletes due to doping violations and military conflicts.

Why it matters

Russia's return to the Paralympics under its own flag is a significant moment, as the country had been banned from major sporting events since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The medals won by Voronchikhina and Bugaev symbolize Russia's reintegration into the global Paralympic community.

The details

Voronchikhina competed in the discipline for visually impaired athletes, while Bugaev competed in the discipline for athletes with impairment in one arm. Two other Russian athletes, Filipp Shebbo and Dmitrii Fadeev, also competed in Para snowboarding on the first day of the Games.

  • The 2026 Winter Paralympics are taking place in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy from March 6-17, 2026.
  • Voronchikhina and Bugaev won their bronze medals on Saturday, March 7, 2026.

The players

Varvara Voronchikhina

A Russian Para alpine skier who won a bronze medal in the women's downhill standing competition.

Aleksei Bugaev

A Russian Para alpine skier who won a bronze medal in the men's downhill standing competition.

Filipp Shebbo

A Russian Para snowboarder who competed on the first day of the 2026 Winter Paralympics.

Dmitrii Fadeev

A Russian Para snowboarder who competed on the first day of the 2026 Winter Paralympics.

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What they’re saying

“For us, it's a really long time when we (were) without (the) flag, and I'm really glad and all my country and all my teammates, we (are) glad also.”

— Varvara Voronchikhina

“I'm happy, I suppose. First medal for me, for Russia, since 2014 from Sochi. I won the medal for my country, for Russia. I'm happy to represent my country.”

— Aleksei Bugaev

“It was perfect. A good moment for Russia, for the athletes. Hopefully this will continue. We had been waiting for this for a long time.”

— Filipp Shebbo

What’s next

The Russian athletes will continue to compete in various events throughout the 2026 Winter Paralympics, with the potential to win more medals and have the Russian national anthem played for the first time since the 2016 Rio Olympics.

The takeaway

Russia's return to the Paralympics under its own flag marks a significant moment, as the country had been banned from major sporting events since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The medals won by Voronchikhina and Bugaev symbolize Russia's reintegration into the global Paralympic community and the potential for more success in the future.