Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy – A silver medal in the women’s cross-country sprint at the 2026 Winter Paralympics became a platform for quiet protest as German athletes Linn Kazmaier and her guide Florian Baumann demonstrated their discomfort with the participation of Russian athletes under their own flag. The moment, unfolding on the podium on March 10, 2026, underscored the ongoing tensions surrounding Russia’s inclusion in international sporting events, even as athletes from other nations celebrated their achievements at the Tesero Cross-Country Skiing Stadium.
Kazmaier and Baumann’s demonstration came after a thrilling sprint final that saw Russia’s Anastasiia Bagiian claim gold. While acknowledging Bagiian’s athletic prowess, Kazmaier expressed the difficult position athletes find themselves in, navigating both competition and complex geopolitical realities. “Auf der sportlichen Seite war sie heute die Stärkste, und da kann man ihr auf der sportlichen Seite Respekt zollen,” Kazmaier said, translated as “On the sporting side, she was the strongest today, and you can respect her for that on the sporting side.” However, she added, “Aber vier Jahre keine Dopingkontrollen und dann auch der politische Hintergrund – da kann man Sport und Politik nicht trennen,” meaning “But four years without doping controls and then also the political background – you can’t separate sport, and politics.”
The protest manifested in several subtle but deliberate actions. As the Russian flag was raised and the Russian anthem played, Kazmaier and Baumann turned their heads slightly and kept their winter hats on – a departure from the customary practice of removing headwear during the anthem. They also maintained a visible distance from Bagiian and her guide, Sergei Siniakin, during the official team photograph. Notably, the German duo declined to participate in the customary winner’s selfie.
The situation is particularly sensitive following a period where Russian athletes were barred from competition due to state-sponsored doping violations. The decision to allow them to compete under their own flag has been met with criticism from many quarters, raising questions about fair play and the integrity of the Paralympic Games. This event followed a similar instance just a day prior, where the Russian anthem was played for Warwara Worontschichina’s gold medal in alpine Super-G, marking the first time the Russian anthem had been heard at the Games with German participation.
The German team’s experience wasn’t without its own drama. Leonie Walter, initially slated to compete for a medal alongside her guide Christian Krasman, was relegated to last place after a technical infraction. Krasman, while guiding Walter, made several sideways steps that were judged as a skating step, violating the competition rules. “Es ist super unglücklich. Die Jury meint es nicht böse mit uns, die folgt nur den Regeln,” said German national coach Ralf Rombach, translating to “It’s super unlucky. The jury doesn’t mean it badly towards us, they just follow the rules.” This unfortunate turn of events elevated Kazmaier and Baumann to the silver medal position.
Bagiian, however, expressed joy at the opportunity to compete and represent her country. Speaking to Russian broadcaster Match TV, she stated her happiness at hearing the Russian national anthem played and seeing the Russian flag raised, dedicating the medal to her country and supporters.
Beyond the podium protest, the day saw other notable performances. Sebastian Marburger secured a silver medal in the men’s standing sprint, overcoming a recent illness to finish just behind Belarusian Raman Svirdydzenka. Kathrin Marchand, making history as the first athlete to compete in both the Summer and Winter Paralympics as well as the Olympic Games, finished fourth, expressing a mix of satisfaction and frustration. “Ich bin zufrieden mit dem vierten Platz, aber es ist immer noch der erste Verlierer. Ich werde halt immer Vierte,” she said, meaning “I am satisfied with fourth place, but it is still the first loser. I will always be fourth.”
In alpine skiing, Anna-Lena Forster added to Germany’s medal count with a silver in the Super-Combination, building on her earlier gold in the downhill. Forster overcame a deficit from the Super-G portion of the event with a strong slalom run, finishing just 0.46 seconds behind Spain’s Audrey Pascual Seca. She is now focused on the upcoming giant slalom and slalom races.
While Russia celebrated success in cross-country skiing, their hopes for further gold in alpine skiing were dashed when Alexej Bugajew, who had been leading after the Super-G, failed to finish the slalom run in the Super-Combination. Warwara Worontschichina, who had previously enjoyed a triumphant moment with the playing of the Russian anthem, also struggled in the Super-G portion of the event.
The events of March 10th at the Winter Paralympics in Cortina d’Ampezzo highlight the complex intersection of sport and politics, and the difficult choices athletes face when navigating international competition under challenging circumstances. The silent protest by Kazmaier and Baumann serves as a powerful reminder of the broader issues at play, even as athletes strive for excellence on the world stage.
The alpine skiing program continues on Thursday with the giant slalom, and the Paralympics will continue through March 16th. Fans can follow the action and find official updates on the official Paralympics website.
