Feb 23 • 11:50 UTC 🇱🇻 Latvia TVNET

Latvian Paralympic Committee and its athletes will not participate in the Milan-Cortina Games opening ceremony

In solidarity with Ukraine, the Latvian Paralympic Committee has decided to boycott the opening ceremony of the Milan-Cortina Winter Paralympics in response to the decision allowing athletes from ten aggressor nations to compete.

In a strong stance of solidarity with Ukraine, the Latvian Paralympic Committee has declared that neither it nor its athletes will take part in the opening ceremony of the Milan-Cortina Winter Paralympics. This decision was made in light of recent moves by the International Paralympic Committee and the International Ski Federation to permit athletes from ten nations deemed aggressive, including Russia, to compete under their flags and symbols at the upcoming games. This announcement aims to maintain integrity and express solidarity with those affected by the ongoing situation in Ukraine. The Latvian Paralympic Committee had initially announced the withdrawal from attending the opening ceremony in person on February 18, during a formal event at Riga Castle where the flagbearers for the Latvian delegation were named. However, a significant extension of this decision has now been publicized; Latvian athletes will also be absent from video projections that are scheduled to be filmed prior to the opening ceremony and shown during the event itself. The committee's resolute commitment to this issue highlights the broader implications of sporting events as platforms for political expression and national identity. The refusal to participate also emphasizes the sentiments shared by many countries regarding the inclusivity of athletes from nations perceived as aggressors. The Latvian delegation's stance serves as a powerful message reflecting the ethical concerns surrounding international sports events and the influence they have on global diplomacy. It displays not only the committee's values but also resonates with the feelings of unity among supporters of Ukraine in the current geopolitical climate.

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