- Russia's anthem played at the 2026 Paralympics, marking its return since 2014.
- Russian skier Varvara Voronchikhina won gold in super-G, sparking mixed reactions.
- The IPC allowed Russian symbols, prompting Ukraine and others to boycott the ceremony.
SALT LAKE CITY — Monday, Russia's national anthem was played at a Paralympics for the first time since 2014.
Symbols of Russia have been barred from previous Paralympics for athletes with disabilities and other international sporting events, including the Olympics, due to a state-sponsored doping scheme and later because of Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, with help from Belarus.
But the anthem was heard at the 2026 Paralympics in Italy as Russian Para Alpine skier Varvara Voronchikhina was awarded the gold medal after finishing first in the women's super-G standing competition. The ceremony also included the raising of the Russian flag.
Wearing a red and gold Russian team jacket, Voronchikhina appeared to wipe away tears as her country's anthem was played. She received what The Guardian described as "polite applause," compared to the "wild cheers" for the second-place finisher, French racer Aurélie Richard.
Voronchikhina, who already won a bronze medal in the downhill, called the moment "amazing," The Associated Press reported.
"It's really special for me because I can see my flag on my friends who arrived here," she said. "Maybe now I can't believe it, and I don't understand what happened. Maybe a little bit later I (will) see my gold medal. It's so special for me really."
The skier, who was born without part of her left hand, said she has "big support in my family and my friends and all people in Russia."
That included Russia's sports minister, Mikhail Degtyarev, who posted on Telegram, "Congratulations to Varvara Voronchikhina on Russia's first gold medal in the super-G at the Milan-Cortina … the Russian anthem is playing," according to The Guardian.
Voronchikhina is one of six Russian athletes given what the International Paralympic Committee calls "bipartite" entry to the Paralympic Games that began last Friday, along with four Belarusian cross-country skiers.
The invitations came after IPC members decided that Russians and Belarusians no longer needed to compete as "neutral" athletes," without flags, anthems or other symbols of their countries. A ban by the international ski and snowboard federation also was successfully appealed.
The decision has drawn criticism, with several countries, including Ukraine, boycotting the Paralympic opening ceremony, held in Verona. The AP reported some booed the Russian delegation during the stadium show.
At this year's Olympics hosted by Milan Cortina, Russians and Belarusians continued to be barred from displaying symbols of their countries. A total of 20 "individual neutral athletes" competed in the 2026 Olympics, 13 from Russia and seven from Belarus, NBC Sports reported.
