Ukraine Officials Boycott Paralympics Over Russian and Belarusian Participation

The Ukrainian government has announced its intention to boycott the Milano Cortina Paralympics over the inclusion of athletes from Russia and Belarus, countries engaged in active conflict with Ukraine. Ukraine's athletes will participate, but officials will abstain from attending any events, urging other nations to take a similar stand.

This decision follows the International Paralympic Committee's move to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to participate under their national flags, a decision met with widespread condemnation, including from Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. The IPC had previously banned these countries following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Several countries, including Poland, have announced their support for Ukraine's stance, refusing attendance at the Opening Ceremony. Critics argue that allowing these athletes to compete undermines the integrity and principles of international sports competitions, turning them into instruments of political conflict.