Why is Russia allowed to compete at the Winter Paralympics 2026?
It has proven a controversial decision...
It has been some time since the Russian flag was flown at a major international sporting event but the white, blue and red stripes will make their return at the Winter Paralympics 2026.
Due to sanctions relating to a doping scandal and the invasion of Ukraine, Russia have been banned from competing since Sochi 2014.
At recent Games, including last month's Winter Olympics, Russian athletes have only been able to compete under a neutral flag as Individual Neutral Athletes, as a result of the ongoing ban handed out by the International Olympic Committee in 2023.
The same sanctions have been imposed on athletes from Belarus due to their role as Russia's ally in the invasion of Ukraine.
Things will be different at the Winter Paralympics, however, with athletes set to compete in ski and snowboard sports under the Russian flag and, should they make the podium, the Russian national anthem set to play at medal ceremonies.
It's a controversial decision and one that will continue to prove a talking point throughout Milano-Cortina 2026 but how and why has it happened?
Radio Times outlines the situation concerning Russia at the Winter Paralympics 2026.
Why is Russia allowed to compete at the Winter Paralympics 2026?
Russia and Belarus are allowed to compete at Milano Cortina 2026 after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) overturned a suspension imposed by the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS).
The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) voted in September 2025 to reinstate full membership rights to Russia and Belarus and lift their ban.
However, the governing bodies of the six sports at the Winter Paralympics 2026 opted to keep their own sanctions in place.
Last December, Russia and Belarus won an appeal against the FIS at CAS, meaning the ban has been lifted in ski and snowboard sports.
In a statement, the IPC has subsequently confirmed that 10 athletes (six Russian and four Belarusian) are set to compete at this year's Games.
"The IPC can confirm that NPC Russia has been awarded a total of six slots: two in Para-alpine skiing (one male, one female), two in Para-cross country skiing (one male, one female), and two in Para-snowboard (both male).
"NPC Belarus has been awarded four slots in total, all in cross-country skiing (one male and three female)."
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