This week, the Russian national anthem echoed in the halls of the Paralympics for the first time in over ten years, stirring controversy.
After spending years competing as neutral athletes due to doping scandals and ongoing military conflicts, Russian competitors are once more representing their nation at the Winter Paralympics.
During the medal presentation on Wednesday, German silver medallist Linn Kazmaier and her guide, Florian Baumann, averted their eyes as the Russian flag was hoisted and the anthem played.
The pair maintained their distance from the Russian athletes while taking photos with their medals. As they exited the stage, it appeared they declined to pose for a photograph alongside the other medallists.
The German National Paralympic Committee explained their actions as an “expression of solidarity with their friends, the Ukrainian athletes.”
In contrast, there were no such incidents during the podium ceremony on Monday, when Russian Para alpine skier Varvara Voronchikhina secured gold.
Linn Kazmaier (left) and her guide Florian Baumann (second from left) from Germany next to Anastasiia Bagajan (second from right) and her guide Sergei Sinijakin (right) from Russia during the award ceremony for Para cross-country skiing at the Tesero Cross-Country Skiing Stadium. The XIV Winter Paralympics are set to take place from March 6 to 15, 2026. Photo: Martin Schutt/dpa (Photo by Martin Schutt/picture alliance via Getty Images) dpa/picture alliance via Getty I
This marks the first occasion that Russia’s anthem has been performed at a major international sporting event since its invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and the first time it has resonated at the Paralympics since the Sochi Games in 2014.
Germany was among the nations voicing their disapproval of Russian athletes competing under their flag during the Milan Cortina Games, with some countries, including Ukraine, opting to boycott the opening ceremony.
Catch the Winter Paralympic Games Milano Cortina 2026 live and free on Channel 9 and 9Now. Enjoy every event live and on-demand, see every medal in 4K, and access exclusive international coverage on Stan Sport.
The Russian anthem for a gold medal victory has not been heard at any Olympics or Paralympics since the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Summer Games.
The initial ban on Russian athletes stemmed from a state-sponsored doping scheme, with sanctions remaining in place following the invasion.
In Milan Cortina, six Russian athletes were given wildcard entries by the International Paralympic Committee to compete.
Compiled by SportArena.au.
Fanpage: SportArena.au.
LiveScore – Live Sports Results & Odds.
