United News of Bangladesh

Ukraine will boycott the opening ceremony of the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympics on March 6 due to the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes under their national flags, the country’s Paralympic Committee said. The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) allocated 10 slots for Russian and Belarusian athletes, sparking protests from Ukraine over the ongoing war. Ukraine called the move “disappointing and outrageous” and demanded that its flag not be used at the ceremony. Ukrainian Sports Minister Matvii Bidnyi confirmed officials will boycott the event, though Ukrainian athletes will still compete. The country’s skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych criticized the IPC for allowing athletes supporting the war to carry their flags. Russia has two slots each in Para alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, and snowboarding, while Belarus received four places in cross-country skiing. Ukraine said neither country went through the qualification process and condemned their inclusion amid the “horrific military aggression” in Ukraine. The IPC said it is in contact with Ukraine’s committee and will discuss the matter internally.   With inputs from ALJAZEERA