Ukrainian para-biathlete Oleksandra Kononova received a warning from representatives of the International Paralympic Committee for wearing earrings with the inscription “Stop War.” The athlete wore them during one of the events at the 2026 Paralympics.
This was reported by Suspilne Sport.
At the 2026 Paralympics, Oleksandra Kononova won two individual awards. First, she won the standing class para-biathlon sprint, and then she won a bronze medal in the individual race.
According to the athlete, after the sprint, representatives of the organizers reprimanded her for wearing earrings with the inscription “Stop War,” which she wore on the first day of competition. The next day, Kononova took to the start line wearing different patriotic earrings. The athlete noted that she was prepared for such a remark.
“After the sprint, they made a remark, saying that according to the rules, the inscription ‘Stop War’ on earrings is not allowed, even though I ran in them. I feel comfortable because I was ready for them to make a comment. This is my emotional state when I wear patriotic earrings, clothes, uniforms, and flags. It means a lot to me; I live for this, I work for this. This is what inspires me in sports: my country, my anthem, my flag. Everything related to this is with me,” Kononova said.
Earlier, at the Olympic Games in Milan, several Ukrainian athletes were also banned from competing in patriotic attire. In particular, freestyle skier Kateryna Kotsar was not allowed to start in a helmet with the inscription “Be brave like Ukrainians,” and short track speed skater Oleg Handey was not allowed to start in a helmet with a quote from poet Lina Kostenko. Skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych was disqualified for intending to compete in a helmet commemorating deceased Ukrainian athletes.