Ukrainian athletes take centre stage at Winter Paralympics opening ceremony

A Winter Paralympics set against the backdrop of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has begun with the Ukrainians’ marching party applauded at the Beijing opening ceremony, where International Paralympic Committee president Andrew Parsons called for peace.

Days after Ukraine’s team and staff completed an arduous journey east, and less than 30 hours after Russian and Belarusian athletes were banned from the Games, members of Ukraine’s 54-person delegation marched in the Bird’s Nest on Friday.

Ukraine has 20 athletes and nine sighted guides in Beijing.

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Without specifically naming Russia, Belarus, which has supported the invasion, or Ukraine, IPC president Parsons called on world authorities to “promote peace”, clearly referencing the conflict that has defined the impending Games.

“As the leader of an organisation with inclusion at its core, where diversity is celebrated and differences embraced, I am horrified at what is taking place in the world at the moment,” Parsons said.

“The 21st century is a time for dialogue and diplomacy, not war and hate.

“Tonight, the Paralympic Movement calls on world authorities to come together, as athletes do, and promote peace, understanding and inclusion.”

He also noted the Olympic Truce “must be respected and observed, not violated” and ended his speech with a call of “peace”.

The IPC had initially ruled on Wednesday that Russian and Belarusian athletes would be able to compete as neutrals, before backflipping less than 24 hours later as other teams threatened to boycott and amid concerns over a volatile atmosphere at the athletes’ village.

Ukraine’s contingent were quiet and reserved and were