For the first time in 12 years, russians will compete in the Paralympic Games under their own flag

This was reported by BBC Sport.

Since 2022, russian and Belarusian athletes have been banned from participating in all international competitions due to russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. However, this decision was later changed to a partial ban, and some athletes were allowed to participate in the Olympic and Paralympic Games under a ‘neutral’ flag.

In a comment to BBC Sport, the IPC confirmed that ten para-athletes from russia and Belarus had received invitations from the bilateral commission to participate in para-alpine skiing, para-cross and para-snowboarding competitions at the 2026 Paralympic Games.

‘The IPC can confirm that russia has been allocated a total of six places: two in Paralympic alpine skiing (one for men, one for women), two in Paralympic cross-country skiing (one for men, one for women) and two in Paralympic snowboarding (both for men),’ the statement said.

‘The Belarusian NOC received a total of four places, all in cross-country skiing (one men's and three women's).’

For the first time since 2014, russia will represent its athletes at the Paralympic Games under its own flag. Since then, they have been suspended from participating in the Games twice: first because of the state anti-doping programme, and in 2022 because of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

In December 2025, russia and Belarus won an appeal against the International Ski Federation in the Court of Arbitration for Sport, allowing them to participate in competitions and accumulate ranking points.

The Winter Paralympics in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo will take place from 6 to 15 March.

Source: Suspilne Sport, BBC Sport