Paris (France) (AFP) – The president of the Ukrainian Paralympic Committee considered the decision of the International Paralympic Committee (ICC) to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete under their own flag at the Milan-Cortina Games a betrayal.

First modification: 02/20/2026 - 12:01

Valery Sushkevych, who has been directly affected by the war and had to flee his home with his family due to incessant bombing, compared the recent decision to the one made four years ago, just after Russia invaded Ukraine, when both the Russians and their ally Belarus were excluded from the Beijing Paralympic Games.

"The CPI, with its latest decision, has given the possibility of raising that same flag, soaked in Ukrainian blood, on the territory of the XIV Paralympic Winter Games," he launched on Tuesday in a telephone interview with AFP.

Reduced funding

The ICC's decision to allow six Russians and four Belarusians to compete in the Games, which begin on March 6, has triggered a boycott of the event, including the opening ceremony, by Ukrainian authorities.

The Italian government also expressed its disagreement with the decision.

Sushkevych stated that the motto of the Ukrainian team at the 2022 Games, "Peace for all", did not find an echo this time at the ICC.

"I would like to highlight that at that time the CPI leaders supported our fight against the war," recalled the Ukrainian Paralympic leader.

"Today, the CPI has changed its position and has stopped adhering to the values ​​of humanity, democracy and the philosophy of the international Paralympic movement," he added.

Despite concern for the safety of their families who remained in the country, the Ukrainian team put together a great sporting performance in Beijing, where only the hosts surpassed them in the medal table.

Sushkevych, who has headed the Ukrainian Paralympic Committee for three decades, stressed that the delegation will compete in Milan-Cortina under very different circumstances.

"Today, the team is in a very difficult situation compared to Beijing," said the 71-year-old, who uses a wheelchair.

"At that time, the team was preparing for the Paralympic Games in peace, and we had more opportunities and significantly better funding, which has now been reduced by more than half. However, all this does not mean that the desire to win within each of us has diminished."

come back to life

For Sushkevych it is almost a miracle that Ukraine is going to send 36 athletes and 22 coaches to Italy.

"We are here! And we remain a powerful part of the international Paralympic movement, and this in itself is our victory, the victory of the Ukrainian people," he celebrated.

Sushkevych explained that sporting successes boost morale in Ukraine, especially among disabled veterans.

"Especially for soldiers who have lost their sight, who have lost their arms or legs and are forced to use wheelchairs," he said.

"Those stories of our Paralympians offer them an example and an opportunity to return to life."

Sushkevych remains confident that resistance against Russia and its reintegration will eventually emerge.

"It is necessary to stop the political aggression of Russia, which is carrying out the occupation of Paralympic sport," he said.

© 2026 AFP

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