Ukraine Boycotts Closing Ceremony of Milan Cortina Paralympics

Games marked by return of Russian flag and anthem after 10-year absence

Mar. 15, 2026 at 10:10pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Milan Cortina Winter Paralympics came to a close with a boycott by Ukraine, who protested the presence of Russian athletes competing under their own flag and national anthem for the first time since the 2014 Sochi Games. China topped the medals table, while the U.S. matched its 2018 Pyeongchang performance. The Games saw a record number of Para athletes and countries represented.

Why it matters

The return of Russia to the Paralympic stage after a decade-long absence due to doping violations and military conflicts was a controversial decision by the International Paralympic Committee. Ukraine's boycott highlighted the ongoing political tensions surrounding the participation of Russian athletes in international sporting events.

The details

The closing ceremony was boycotted by Ukraine to protest the presence of Russian athletes. Russia's national anthem was played 8 times during the Games after their athletes won gold medals. The only Iranian and Israeli athletes scheduled to compete had to withdraw due to the military conflict between the U.S., Israel, and Iran. The Games featured a record 611 Para athletes from 55 nations, with China dominating the medal table.

  • The Milan Cortina Paralympics began less than a week after the U.S. and Israel launched a military attack on Iran.
  • The Games marked the 50th anniversary of the Winter Paralympics.
  • The Paralympic Games were back in Italy 20 years after being held in Turin.

The players

Ukraine

Led the boycott of both the opening and closing ceremonies to protest the presence of Russian athletes.

International Paralympic Committee (IPC)

The governing body of the Paralympic movement, which allowed the return of the Russian flag and anthem to the Games.

Aboulfazl Khatibi

The only Iranian Para cross-country skier scheduled to compete, had to withdraw because he could not travel safely to Italy.

Sheina Vaspi

The only athlete from Israel who competed at the Milan Cortina Paralympics.

Varvara Voronchikhina

Russian Para alpine skier who won gold, causing the Russian national anthem to be played for the first time at the Paralympics since 2016.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The French Alps will host the 2030 Winter Paralympic Games, where the IPC is considering adding more sports like skating and sliding disciplines, as well as including intellectually impaired athletes.

The takeaway

The return of Russia to the Paralympic stage after a decade-long absence due to doping violations and military conflicts has sparked controversy and political tensions, as evidenced by Ukraine's boycott of the closing ceremony. The Milan Cortina Games set new records for participation, but also highlighted the ongoing challenges facing the Paralympic movement in navigating geopolitical conflicts.