Russia Participation Sparks Paralympics Ceremony Boycott
Seven countries have confirmed they will boycott the Milan-Cortina Paralympics opening ceremony after Russian athletes were permitted to compete under their national flag.
The International Paralympic Committee approved the participation of six Russian and four Belarusian athletes under their own flags, marking the first time since 2014 that Russia will appear with full national representation.
The move prompted Ukraine, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Finland and Czechia to announce they will not attend the opening ceremony in Verona.
IPC officials said they respect the decision, while noting that other countries, including Canada, Great Britain, Germany and France, will also skip the ceremony for logistical and performance-related reasons rather than political protest.
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