Ukraine's team to boycott closing ceremony of the 2026 Paralympic Games
The reason for this decision is the presence at the closing ceremony of delegations from Russia and Belarus, who were admitted to the competition under their national flags.
At the start of the Paralympics, the Ukrainian National Paralympic Committee completely ignored the opening ceremony because Russians and Belarusians were present. Along with Ukraine, representatives of 15 other countries also skipped the event.
On the eve of the final competition day, Ukrainian para‑skier Hryhorii Vovchynskyi told Suspilne Sport that the decision to boycott the closing ceremony would be made at a general team meeting.
"We haven't talked yet about the closing ceremony, but I think our position is 100% clear, because the International Paralympic Committee… There are no words for what has happened here. How can these countries that continue the war in Ukraine still be here? I don't know where this world is going. I have no words. What gives me joy is that most countries support us and say they stand with Ukraine — and that is normal. Many people hug me, I talk to everyone. And my wish is this: I don't want to compete with athletes from killer countries standing next to me. I have no desire for that."
At the 2026 Paralympic Games, the Ukrainian team won 17 medals, including three gold. In the medal standings, the "blue‑and‑yellow" team holds seventh place.
As a reminder, the International Paralympic Committee did not allow the Ukrainian team to wear its updated parade uniform at the 2026 Winter Paralympics, deeming the design political. The Ukrainian team had to urgently produce a new set of uniforms, which was delivered by bus to Italy, where the team was already present.
The athletes had prepared to showcase a new ceremonial uniform with symbolic elements emphasizing Ukraine's territorial integrity. However, the International Paralympic Committee ruled that such a design was political and refused to approve it.
Valerii Sushkevych, President of Ukraine's National Paralympic Committee, noted that this decision came amid growing leniency toward Russian athletes in the international sports environment, as Russian Paralympians were allowed to compete under their own flag.
Fourteen countries and the European Union will not send official representatives to the opening ceremony of the Paralympic Games, where athletes from Russia and Belarus will represent their countries under their national flags and anthems.
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16 of March 2026
