The inclusion of two nations’ athletes has forced countries to condemn the event altogether.
VERONA, Italy — The first events of the 2026 Paralympics have already begun, but several nations will be absent from the Games’ grand opening on Friday.
At least nine countries have vowed to either significantly reduce the number of athletes who attend the Paralympic Opening Ceremony in Verona, Italy, or outright boycott the event. The vows were made after the International Paralympic Committee announced it would allow athletes from Russia and Belarus to compete in the Games under their respective countries’ flags.
Which countries are boycotting the Paralympics Opening Ceremony?
The countries boycotting the Opening Ceremony for political reasons include Ukraine, Czechia, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Poland, Lithuania, the Netherlands, and Germany.
Why are countries boycotting?
The Committee had previously banned athletes from Russia and Belarus from competing in major international sporting events in 2016 after the Russian doping scandal and in 2022 following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Athletes from those nations have since been allowed to compete as neutrals, meaning they wouldn’t be recognized as athletes representing their country.
That changed in September when Committee members voted to fully reinstate both Russia and Belarus athletes. The vote rescinded both the full and partial bans on athletes from both nations.
Members reportedly voted to reinstate the athletes from a desire to separate politics from sport, and a belief that the treatment of Russia had been inconsistent with how athletes from Israel were allowed to compete during its war in Gaza.
Ukraine Sports Minister Matvii Bidnyi said the nation would not be taking part in any Paralympic events due to the Committee’s decision. Germany also publicly criticized the Committee’s decision.
“Team Germany Paralympics will not participate in the Parade of Nations during the opening ceremony in Verona. This decision serves both to focus on the upcoming competitions and to respectfully express solidarity with the Ukrainian delegation,” the German team said.
When is the Paralympic Opening Ceremony?
The Milan Cortina Winter Paralympics officially open on March 6 and conclude with the Closing Ceremony on Mar. 15. Wheelchair curling round-robin play began on March 4, two days before the Opening Ceremony.