IPC President Expresses Disappointment with Ukraine’s Focus on Politics at Milan Cortina Paralympics

MILAN, Italy – International Paralympic Committee (IPC) President Andrew Parsons voiced his frustration with the Ukrainian Paralympic Committee’s conduct during the recent Milan Cortina Winter Paralympics, stating that their focus on political issues detracted from the sporting competition. The comments come after a Games marked by ongoing debate surrounding the participation of athletes from Russia and Belarus, and restrictions placed on Ukrainian athletes.

Speaking to the Associated Press, Parsons expressed his disappointment with what he perceived as attempts by the Ukrainian delegation to shift attention away from the athletic achievements on display. “Yes, I think it was an attempt to divert attention to something else, but not to sport,” Parsons said. “I think most of the other national Paralympic committees responded well to that, focusing only on sport, but, yes, it was, in a way, disappointing.”

The 2026 Winter Paralympics, held from March 6 to 15 in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, saw Latvia’s wheelchair curling duo, Polina Rozhkova and Agris Lasmans, secure a bronze medal in the mixed doubles competition. However, the lead-up to and duration of the Games were overshadowed by the IPC’s controversial decision to allow athletes from Russia and Belarus to compete under their national flags, a decision that drew significant criticism.

While Russian athletes faced some limitations, Ukrainian athletes experienced restrictions of their own. Notably, they were prohibited from displaying the Ukrainian map on their apparel, and faced other limitations that the Ukrainian Paralympic Committee characterized as “systematic pressure” from organizers. Delfi.lv reports that this included the forceful removal of the Ukrainian flag, disruption of team planning meetings, and a ban on one athlete wearing an earring representing Ukrainian territory.

Despite these challenges, Ukraine outperformed Russia in the medal count, securing 19 medals – three gold, eight silver, and eight bronze – compared to Russia’s 12 medals (eight gold, one silver, and three bronze). This result placed Russia third in the overall medal standings, while Ukraine’s performance underscored their resilience and determination.

Parsons acknowledged anticipating attempts by national governments to politicize the Games, but expressed regret that sports organizations also engaged in such behavior. He stated his hope that this experience serves as a lesson for national Paralympic committees, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing sport over political considerations. “I really hope that What we have is a lesson also for those national Paralympic committees that chose to focus more on the political side than on the sporting side – because sport won,” Parsons said.

This isn’t the first time Parsons has faced scrutiny for his stance on inclusivity and the participation of athletes from countries involved in international conflicts. He has previously been criticized for comments suggesting that Russian soldiers injured while fighting in Ukraine could be eligible to compete in future Paralympic Games, stating, “We don’t care what they did on the battlefield.” TVNET Sports reported on this earlier this month.

The situation highlights the complex challenges faced by the IPC in navigating the intersection of sport and politics, particularly in the context of ongoing geopolitical tensions. The organization’s commitment to inclusivity has been questioned, and its handling of the situation has drawn criticism from both sides of the conflict. The focus now shifts to the upcoming Paralympic Games and how the IPC will address these issues moving forward.

The next major event on the Paralympic calendar is the Summer Paralympics in Los Angeles in 2028. The IPC will undoubtedly be looking to ensure a greater focus on athletic achievement and minimize political distractions at that event. Athletes and fans alike will be watching closely to see how the organization responds to the lessons learned from the Milan Cortina Games.

The IPC has not yet released a formal response to the Ukrainian Paralympic Committee’s criticisms beyond Parsons’ comments to the Associated Press. Further updates will be provided as they become available.