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Some spectators booed Russia's athletes as they marched under their own flag in the opening ceremony of the Milan-Cortina Winter Paralympics Friday. The International Paralympic Committee in February lifted a long-running ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes competing under their own flags and anthems due to their role in the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Issued on: 06/03/2026 - 21:09Modified: 06/03/2026 - 21:22
By: FRANCE 24 Members of Russia's delegation marched under their national flag at a Paralympics for the first time since 2014. © Stefano Rellandini, AFP Russian athletes were booed by some spectators as they paraded under their own flag at the Milan-Cortina Winter Paralympics opening ceremony on Friday.
The build-up to the showpiece has been overshadowed by the International Paralympic Committee's decision to allow Russian athletes to compete under their flag rather than neutrals for the first time since 2014, despite Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine.
In response, a handful of countries led by Ukraine boycotted the ceremony in the historic Verona Arena.
The IPC has allowed six Russian athletes and four from their ally Belarus to represent their countries.
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FRANCE IN FOCUS © Yola Watrucka, Getty Images/iStockphoto 11:43 Russia's designated flag-bearers were cross-country skier Anastasiia Bagiian and alpine skier Aleksei Bugaev.
Shortly after Russia made their appearance, Ukraine were represented by two volunteers carrying the country's flag but no athletes or dignitaries were present.
The sight of the Ukrainian flag was greeted by a long round of applause.
The opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics last month also saw its share of tension, with US Vice President JD Vance as well as the Israeli team both being met by loud jeers from the crowd.
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