Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, athletes from aggressor countries, namely Russia and Belarus, have been barred from competing under their national flags at international sporting events. This ban was partially lifted by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) during its general assembly in September, allowing these athletes to compete alongside others, albeit under neutral status previously. The IPC’s decision follows a successful appeal by Russia and Belarus against the International Skiing and Snowboarding Federation (FIS), which enabled their athletes to now accumulate ranking points.

The implications of this decision are significant for other countries, including Latvia, where para-athletes may face competition from their Russian counterparts who can now participate more actively. The announcement raised concerns among Latvian sports representatives, emphasizing the autonomy of each sport federation to decide whether to allow participation from athletes of aggressor nations. This could lead to varied responses from different sports disciplines and federations.

The Russian Paralympic Committee has been granted six 'wild cards' for the upcoming Games, which allows them designated spots in alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, and snowboarding. This decision is likely to have a profound impact not only on the dynamics of the competitions but also on the representation of Latvian athletes against those from aggressor states, intensifying discussions around international sports ethics and geopolitical tensions.