Growing Wave of Boycott Over Paralympic Games Opening After Decision to Allow Russians Back

The International Paralympic Committee's decision to reinstate Russian and Belarusian athletes into competition has triggered an unprecedented diplomatic crisis on the eve of the winter games. Poland, acting as the leader of the opposition coalition, confirmed that its delegation will not attend the official opening ceremony in Verona. The Ministry of Sport and Tourism emphasizes that this gesture is an expression of unconditional solidarity with Ukraine, which was the first to announce its absence. More countries are joining the boycott, including Scandinavian and Baltic states, putting the International Olympic Committee in an awkward position before world public opinion. The reaction of the Russian Federation to these actions was extremely aggressive and filled with contempt. Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, mockingly commented on the Polish decision, claiming that the absence of Poles at the opening would improve air quality. Simultaneously, Russian propaganda attacked speed skater Vladimir Semirunny, who declared his desire to change his surname and distance himself from his Russian roots, which was perceived in Moscow as an act of betrayal. These attacks are not limited to the verbal sphere; Russian media suggest that Polish activists should "sit in holes," further exacerbating the already terrible bilateral relations on the Warsaw-Moscow line. This conflict casts a shadow over the sports competition, turning the games into an arena of brutal political struggle. Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the world of sports has been grappling with the dilemma of excluding the aggressors. While many federations maintain tough sanctions, institutions like the IOC strive to restore the principle of political neutrality for athletes.In Western Europe, the approach to the boycott is not uniform. France, which is hosting the next winter games in 2030, officially announced that its team will participate in the opening ceremony. Paris argues that boycotting ceremonies primarily hurts athletes, not political regimes. This stance, however, is controversial, especially in the context of organizational problems the Alpine region is facing ahead of the 2030 edition. Meanwhile, in Poland, despite international tensions, the expansion of sports facilities continues. Warsaw announced the construction of a modern ice skating track, interpreted as part of a strategy to bring Poland closer to hosting the Summer Olympic Games in the future. This investment aims not only to improve results but also to strengthen Poland's position as a regional leader in sports infrastructure. 2026 — year of organization of the Winter Paralympic Games in Italy The situation within Polish sports structures is also causing emotions. Reports about the high earnings of the president of the Polish Olympic Committee, Radosław Piesiewicz, coincided with sharp statements from the sports minister, who accused the committee's authorities of feeding on conflicts. These internal frictions may weaken Poland's negotiating position on the international stage at a time when unity is crucial for the boycott's effectiveness. The final outcome of this diplomatic offensive depends on how many countries actually decide to skip the ceremony in a gesture of protest against the presence of Russians. „Это отличная новость. Воздух на церемонии открытия будет немного чище без вас.” (That's excellent news. The air at the opening ceremony will be a bit cleaner without you.) — Maria Zakharova