Glenn Micallef to boycott Paralympics opening over Russia participation

EU commissioner Glenn Micallef has said he will boycott the Winter Paralympics opening ceremony, after Russian and Belarusian athletes were allowed to compete under their national flags.

“I stand with the Paralympians and everything they represent. However, first allowing Russia and Belarus to return and now granting a wildcard and fast-tracking participation without qualification? This is unacceptable,” Micallef, who serves as European Commissioner for Sports and Intergenerational Fairness, said in a social media statement.

“While Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine continues, I cannot support the reinstatement of national symbols, flags, anthems and uniforms that are inseparable from that conflict.”

“For this reason, I will not attend the opening ceremony. I do so with respect for the athletes but with clarity about the principles at stake,” he said.

Six Russian and four Belarusian athletes will be allowed to compete under their own national flags at the 2026 Paralympics in Milan-Cortina, the Games’ governing body confirmed to AFP on Tuesday.

The International Paralympic Committee unexpectedly lifted its suspension of Russian and Belarusian athletes at the organisation’s general assembly in September.

The Russian Paralympic Committee (RPC) has been awarded six wildcards for the upcoming Games, receiving places in alpine skiing, cross-country skiing and snowboarding.

Russia was awarded two slots in alpine skiing, two in cross-country skiing and two in snowboarding.

The four Belarusian slots are all in cross-country skiing. Male and female athletes from both nations will be taking part.

The next Paralympic Games in Milan-Cortina 2026 will open on March 6 after the Winter Olympic Games end on February 22.

There are 13 Russian and seven Belarusian athletes competing in the ongoing Winter Games. However, they are not directly representing their countries but are competing as Authorised Neutral Athletes.