Conclusion of the Winter Games in Milan and the Conflict Over Russian Participation in the Paralympics

The Olympic flame in Milan has been extinguished, ending the sporting competitions that began in early February. These Games have gone down in history as a spectacle of high production standards, as emphasized by Italian media, pointing to the record number of medals won by the hosts and attendance successes. In Poland, Telewizja Polska recorded a multi-million viewership, and fans optimistically welcomed the new star of ski jumping and the remaining medalists landing at Warsaw Chopin Airport. However, the sporting celebration has been overshadowed by a growing diplomatic conflict concerning the equal status of aggressors and victims in the upcoming competitions for athletes with disabilities. The Paralympic movement was born after World War II on the initiative of Ludwig Guttmann, initially as a form of rehabilitation for veterans. The first Winter Paralympic Games were held in 1976 in Örnsköldsvik, Sweden, and since 1988, these competitions have been held in the same cities as the Olympic Games. The President of the International Paralympic Committee, Andrew Parsons, confirmed that Russian and Belarusian athletes will compete under their own national flags, which prompted an immediate reaction from Kyiv. Ukraine has officially announced a boycott of the opening ceremony, arguing that the presence of representatives from countries waging war is unacceptable. The Polish Paralympic Committee declared full solidarity with Ukraine and announced consultations on the form of protest. When asked about the situation, Parsons stated that while the IPC respects Ukraine's decision, the committee strives for the "apolitical nature of sport," which critics perceive as capitulation to Kremlin pressure. „We do not want to politicize the ceremony. If Ukraine decides to boycott, we will accept it, but our decision on allowing neutral athletes stands.” — Andrew Parsons The conclusion of the main part of the Games also brought logistical and cultural summaries. The closing ceremony featured performances by artists drawing on Italian culture and a performance by the Eurovision winner. Media also noted humorous aspects, such as record pizza consumption in the Olympic Village, which became a symbol of the hosts' hospitality. Despite Milan's image success, the coming weeks will be marked by tension between national committees and the IPC, as Baltic countries and Poland demand a revision of the stance on allowing Russians to compete.