‘Best of humanity’ on show at Winter Paralympics – Dame Katherine Grainger

Dame Katherine Grainger believes the Beijing Winter Paralympics have displayed the “best side of humanity and sport” in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Athletes from Russia and Belarus were banned from participating by the International Paralympic Committee due to their nation’s roles in the ongoing war.

The Ukrainian team, meanwhile, finished second behind hosts China in the medal table after amassing 11 golds, 10 silvers and eight bronzes.

UK Sport chair Grainger says continuing conflict in eastern Europe was a “constant presence” during the event and has been heartened by the solidarity shown.

“There’s been an incredible sense of support from all of the nations, you can really feel it and it really is very genuine,” she told the PA news agency.

“And it’s just really powerful when you see those nations coming together.

“What Ukraine have managed to do, their performance has been absolutely outstanding here. All of us can only imagine what they must be experiencing and thinking about, and their athletes have really done their nation proud.

“It has been a constant presence here and it’s right that it has been because I don’t think as sport you can be completely independent of what’s happening around the world.

“But I think people have shown the best side of humanity and sport in supporting Ukraine.

“There’s probably a sense of helplessness from a lot of us about what really we can do to make a difference.

“Sport has a voice and has an influence and it’s right that every one of us and every organisation thinks what can we do in this situation and where we can we help.

“I think sport has done what it can in the last 10 days or so while we’ve been here.”

Sunday’s closing ceremony brought down the curtain on nine