Ukraine officials to boycott Paralympics over Russia and Belarus’s participation

Ukraine officials will boycott the Milano Cortina Paralympics next month over the participation of a handful of Russian and Belarusian athletes, who have been cleared to compete under their ‌flag. “The decision by the Paralympics organisers to allow killers and their accomplices to compete at the Paralympic Games under national flags is both disappointing and outrageous,” Ukraine’s Sports Minister Matvii Bidnyi wrote on social media. Ukrainian athletes will still take part in the March 6-15 Paralympic Games, but Bidnyi said no Ukrainian official would be at the opening ceremony or any event of the games.