In 2026, the whole world will be watching the Winter Olympics and Paralympics. Representatives of Ukraine are making every effort to ensure that there are no representatives from russia and belarus at the world's major sporting events. In particular, they have managed to overturn the decision of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), which reinstated the rights of athletes from the aggressor country and its ally.
This was announced by Iryna Borzova, Member of Parliament and member of the Parliamentary Committee on Youth and Sports.
«In September, the IPC announced a shameful decision to allow athletes from russia and belarus to participate in the 2026 Paralympics under their national flags and with their national anthems. Ukraine did not lose its composure and began to fight back. The Ministry of Veterans Affairs, parliamentarians, our all-Ukrainian organisations, and the Parliamentary Committee on Youth and Sports sent numerous appeals to international federations to prevent belarusians and russians from participating in the Paralympics. And today, thanks to joint efforts, three of the four main international federations have extended sanctions against russians and belarusians,» the politician said.
She added that athletes from russia and belarus simply would not have time to go through the qualifying rounds.
«When it comes to the Olympics, the International Olympic Committee has allowed russians and belarusians to participate only under a neutral flag and without their national anthems, provided that these athletes do not support the war. But we also have good decisions today that international federations are deciding not to allow these athletes to participate in the Olympics, even under a neutral flag. Therefore, we hope that there will be very few athletes representing the aggressor country and its ally at the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Italy,» the MP stressed.
She added that Ukrainian athletes have already obtained 18 licences for the Olympics, and in total, our country is expected to have around 40-45 licences. The qualifying competitions will take place until 18 January.