Paralympic values betrayed: IPC must reverse decision allowing Russian, Belarusian flags

Feb. 18, 2026 — The Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) strongly condemned the decision by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete under their national flags at the Milano‑Cortina 2026 Paralympic Games, calling it a betrayal of Paralympic values and demanding its immediate reversal.

In an open letter, UWC President Paul Grod said the decision forces war victims to face the symbols of the states responsible for their injuries, while Russia’s unprovoked war against Ukraine continues with the support of Belarus.

“A significant share of Ukraine’s Paralympic team consists of athletes who were wounded as a direct result of this war,” Grod said. “Many lost limbs, mobility, or eyesight under missile strikes, artillery fire, landmines, and drones. To now compel these athletes to compete beneath the flags and anthems of the aggressor states is morally reprehensible.”

Ukraine fielded 140 athletes at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, its largest delegation ever, formed amid ongoing hostilities. International media have documented Ukrainian Paralympians who are frontline veterans and amputees injured in combat.

The IPC decision follows votes at its General Assembly in September 2025 to lift partial suspensions on Russia and Belarus. While vote totals were published, individual votes were not disclosed. Grod said the anonymity surrounding the decision showed a lack of transparency and moral courage.

“On an issue involving war, mass injury, and credible allegations of war crimes, secrecy is indefensible,” he said.

The UWC called on all National Paralympic Committees and IPC member countries to publicly oppose the decision and press for its reversal. At minimum, Grod said, Russian and Belarusian athletes should be permitted to compete only without national symbols for as long as the war continues.

“The Paralympic Movement exists to uphold dignity, inclusion, and humanity,” Grod said. “It cannot credibly claim those values while compelling the wounded to stand beneath the symbols of those who wounded them.”