The Estonian Paralympic Committee (EPK) announced that its officials will not attend the opening and closing ceremonies of the Milan Cortina Winter Paralympics, scheduled for March 6-15. This decision stems from EPK's condemnation of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and International Ski Federation's (FIS) decision to allow athletes from aggressor nations Russia and Belarus to compete under their flags and symbols. The EPK's action is a show of solidarity with Ukraine and signals a strong stance on sportsmanship amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions.

The EPK's boycott reflects a broader sentiment in the international sporting community regarding the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes following the invasion of Ukraine. The IPC and FIS's decision has sparked significant controversy, as ten participation spots were allocated to athletes from these countries across three disciplines: snowboarding, alpine skiing, and cross-country skiing. Of these ten spots, six were given to representatives from Russia and four to Belarus, prompting the EPK's resolute stance.

By aligning itself with the official Ukrainian decision to withdraw from the ceremonies, the EPK emphasizes the importance of a unified, principled approach among European nations on matters related to sports and politics. This decision not only showcases the critical role that national committees can play in responding to global issues but also raises questions about the future of sports diplomacy when faced with conflicts that transcend athletic competition.