Russia and Belarus will have a combined 10 para athletes at next month's Milano Cortina Paralympics, the International Paralympic Committee said in a statement Tuesday, Feb. 17. The news drew anger from Ukrainian athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych, who was barred from the Olympic skeleton event over a helmet that honored athletes from his country killed in the conflict with Russia.
Breakdown
- Heraskevich criticizes IPC for allowing Russia and Belarus at Paralympics 4s
- IPC grants 10 athlete slots to Russia and Belarus for the Games 13s
- Heraskevich was disqualified for honoring Ukrainian athletes killed in conflict 49s
- Russia and Belarus regained full IPC membership in September 2025 1m 39s
- Athletes from both countries will compete under their national flags 1m 57s