The Ukrainian Paralympic team was banned from wearing the uniforms prepared for the competition. The International Paralympic Committee called the design political and did not allow them to wear it.
This was announced by the president of the National Paralympic Committee of Ukraine, Valery Sushkevich, according to Ukrinform.
According to Sushkevich, a ceremonial uniform was prepared for the Ukrainian team, but the International Paralympic Committee refused to approve it.
“The International Paralympic Committee said, ‘No, no, no — that won’t work!’ They said that the uniform was political. And they said that no one would allow us to wear it,” said the president of the IPC.
He explained that the uniform was symbolic and emphasized Ukraine’s presence in the world and Europe without the occupied territories. The design was developed by Ukrainian designer Viktor Anisimov, who had previously created uniforms for Paralympians, including for the Games in Paris.
According to Sushkevych, after the 2024 Paralympics, loyalty to Russia increased among some Paralympic officials, who did not want to allow the appearance of symbols emphasizing Ukraine’s territorial integrity.
As a result, the Ukrainian team had to urgently produce another uniform. Sushkevich noted that it was delivered by bus to Italy, where the team was already staying, although the previously prepared set was ready for use.
As a reminder, on March 6, 2026, the Winter Paralympic Games will begin in Milan, for which Ukraine has won 25 licenses, so the country will be represented by 35 participants — 25 Paralympic athletes and 10 guide athletes. Ukrainians will compete in four sports — para-biathlon, para-snowboarding, para-alpine skiing, and para-snowboarding — with 25 licenses being the best result in Ukraine’s history at the Winter Paralympic Games. as the largest representation was in 2014, when 23 athletes competed in three sports. Ukraine will also be represented in alpine skiing for the first time since 2014 and in snowboarding for the first time since 2018.