Finland's Paralympic Committee announced that it will not attend the opening ceremony of the upcoming Milan-Cortina Paralympic Games. This decision follows a request from Ukraine for other participating nations to join the boycott in protest against the inclusion of Russian and Belarusian teams, which will compete with their flags due to a decision made by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC). Alongside Finland, Estonia, Latvia, and Poland have also declared their intention to boycott the ceremony.

The decision to allow Russian and Belarusian teams in the Games has led to significant controversy, particularly regarding their participation under national flags. The IPC had made this controversial decision last fall, and it has faced intense backlash from several countries, including Ukraine. As of February, the IPC has granted a total of six wildcard entries to Russian athletes and four to Belarusian athletes for various sporting events, including alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, and snowboarding.

Reactions from Ukraine and other nations have been swift and critical in response to the IPC's wildcard decisions. This move by the paralympic committees from Finland and other countries exemplifies a growing trend of boycotts driven by geopolitical tensions surrounding the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes in international competitions. The implications of these decisions extend beyond sports, reflecting broader issues of international solidarity and the political landscape affecting Olympic sports.