Poland to boycott Paralympics opening over Russian and Belarusian flags

Thursday 19 February 2026 - 20:30

By: Sahili Aya

Poland to boycott Paralympics opening over Russian and Belarusian flags

Poland has announced it will boycott the opening ceremony of the upcoming Winter Paralympics in Italy in protest against the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes under their national flags.

In a statement, Poland’s Sports Ministry said that “in the face of ongoing Russian aggression against Ukraine, the participation of athletes from Russia and Belarus in sports competitions using their flags and anthems is absolutely unacceptable.” Warsaw argued that allowing national symbols risks normalizing the war and undermines the core values of international sport.

IPC decision sparks controversy

The move follows a decision by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) to authorize six Russian and four Belarusian para-athletes to compete in the Winter Paralympics under their national flags. The Games are scheduled to take place from March 6 to 15 in Italy.

Polish government representatives confirmed they will not attend the opening ceremony in response. The head of the Polish Paralympic Committee described the IPC’s decision as “scandalous,” suggesting it reflected sustained diplomatic pressure from Moscow.

Russian and Belarusian athletes were initially barred from the Beijing 2022 Winter Paralympics shortly after the invasion of Ukraine began in 2022. In 2023, the IPC partially lifted the ban, permitting athletes from both countries to compete as neutral participants without national symbols.

However, the IPC later reinstated full membership rights for Russia and Belarus, a move criticized by Poland and several other countries.

Broader geopolitical tensions in sport

The Winter Olympics, overseen separately by the International Olympic Committee, currently allow Russian and Belarusian competitors to participate as “Individual Neutral Athletes,” without flags or anthems.

Since the outbreak of war in 2022, Poland has been among Ukraine’s most vocal supporters, advocating for continued diplomatic, humanitarian, and military assistance. Warsaw has consistently called for the exclusion of Russian and Belarusian athletes from international competitions unless they compete under neutral status.

The dispute highlights the ongoing intersection between global sport and geopolitics, as international federations navigate pressure from governments, athletes, and advocacy groups amid the continuing conflict in Eastern Europe.