Sigi's Tips | Paralympics sidelined

A news story like many in recent years. A Russian bombing raid on the Ukrainian capital Kyiv killed 14 people, including three children. That happened a month ago. Now, a quick update: According to official Ukrainian reports, a family of four was killed in a Russian drone strike in Sumy, northeastern Ukraine. The parents and their four- and six-year-old children were recovered dead from the rubble.

So we're delighted that the Russian national anthem will soon be heard in Antholz, Predazzo, Cortina, Bormio, or Milan, and that the Russian flag will merrily flutter in the wind in the stadiums after Russian athletes have taken their place on the winners' podium. At their general assembly in Seoul, the officials of the Paralympic Committee decided to lift the sanctions against the governing bodies of Russia and its ally Belarus. Because of Russia's war of aggression in Ukraine, the IPC suspended both countries in 2023. Crimean champagne for everyone. That's how I imagine the reaction in the Kremlin. Russia is back. Officially, at least at the Paralympic Games, which will be held after the Olympic Games at the Olympic sports venues. It's a mystery what prompted the IPC members to initially vote with a clear majority against a complete exclusion of Russia and then, in a further vote with 91 to 77, to also lift the partial suspension. The same thing happened for Belarus. The result completely contradicts the International Olympic Committee's approach. Will it be like this again soon? A picture from the 2014 Sochi Olympics. © ANSA / SERGEI CHIRIKOV / STF

From February 6, 2026, until the closing ceremony in the Verona Arena, there will be no Russian anthem and no Russian flags. Participants from Russia and Belarus may only compete after careful consideration and only under a neutral flag. Teams are excluded. There are clear reasons for this, which are based on the IOC's rules. The IOC suspended Russia's Olympic Committee because it accepted the four annexed Ukrainian regions of Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk, and Zaporizhia. The IOC considers this a violation of the Olympic Charter and thus has a good reason for its decision, as there are also tendencies towards softening the rules within the IOC. The new IOC President, Kirsty Coventry from Zimbabwe, has already set a clear direction for the first time in this regard, pointing out that the IOC Executive Board is taking the same approach as in Paris. "Nothing has changed," she said. In Paris, 15 athletes from Russia and 17 from Belarus took part. Currently, two female figure skaters and one male figure skater are trying to get a ticket.

Hope for more publicity? The IOC's decision was made long before the IPC General Assembly, which is why it is indeed hard to understand that disability sport is now essentially opposing the IOC's decision. As a Nobel Peace Prize contender, the IPC will hardly be able to distinguish itself by doing this. Is it the hope of more publicity? Combined perhaps with the opportunity to become even more independent with the Paralympic competitions and to differentiate itself more clearly from the IOC's previous competitions? Humility would be more appropriate. That would also be a form of inclusion. It is fantastic that after the Olympic Games, the Paralympics can be held at the same sports facilities, even if there is less media attention. This may be seen as unfair, especially towards the athletes in the various competition categories in disability sport.

Nevertheless, no one can ignore the fact that Paralympic competitions have less appeal than those that precede the Olympic stage. I am also aware of the sensitivity of disabled athletes, and even more so of the officials who are understandably fighting for full recognition and equality. Yet despite expanded coverage, which is also done to create a veneer of moral integrity for TV stations, disability sport is not playing in the top league. By deciding in favor of Russia and Belarus, the IPC has even further marginalized itself instead of working together with the IOC.

But there is still hope. The decision as to whether Russian athletes and those from Belarus can actually participate in the Paralympics in Milan/Cortina ultimately lies in the hands of the world governing bodies responsible for the respective sports, who are not required to follow the incomprehensible decision of the General Assembly. At least the IPC has had a few Olympic headlines for itself while bombs and drones continue to rain down on Ukraine.

About the author: Sigi Heinrich The award-winning sports journalist (including the winner of the German Television Award, the Bavarian Sports Award, and a nominee for the prestigious Grimme Prize), author, trained sports teacher, longtime sports editor of the Süddeutsche Zeitung, and commentator for Eurosport since 1989 (having attended 17 Olympic Games to date), dedicates one of his weekly columns to the full diversity of sports and enjoys poaching into other, not-so-unfamiliar realms. Sometimes with a smile, sometimes thoughtfully, or deliberately provocatively. There should be something for everyone.

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Sigi's Tips | Paralympics sidelined

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