In light of ongoing Russian aggression against Ukraine, Poland's Sports Ministry has declared that its officials will boycott the opening ceremony of the upcoming Paralympic Games. The ministry criticized the decision by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) to permit Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete under their national flags and anthems, labelling this as completely unacceptable. The statement underlines Poland's strong stance against any recognition of Russian and Belarusian participation amidst the conflict in Ukraine.

The IPC's controversial decision has sparked significant backlash, with the head of the IPC himself stating to a Polish news outlet, "Polsat News," that the committee is also considering boycotting the ceremony. This response underscores the tension within the international sports community regarding the participation of athletes from nations involved in geopolitical conflicts, highlighting the influence of Russian lobbying and the perceived moral implications of allowing such participation during ongoing hostilities.

This situation comes after the IPC confirmed that six athletes from Russia and four from Belarus will be allowed to compete with their respective national symbols at this year's Paralympic Games in Milan and Cortina. The decision has stirred friction among various nations, with Poland's firm stance reflecting broader concerns about the appropriateness and implications of permitting these athletes to participate, given the backdrop of ongoing military actions in Ukraine, which continues to evoke global attention and condemnation.