Scandal at the Paralympics: Ukraine banned from wearing 1991 map uniforms
Ukrainian Paralympic Team (photo: paralympic.org.ua)
The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has banned the ceremonial uniforms of the Ukrainian team for the Winter Games in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, according to the President of the National Paralympic Committee, Valerii Sushkevych.
The ban
According to Sushkevych, the Ukrainian side had prepared a symbolic uniform designed by the well-known designer Viktor Anisimov. A key element of the design was a map of a united Ukraine, meant to remind the world of the country’s inviolable borders.
However, the IPC was firmly against such attire.
"The International Paralympic Committee said: 'No, no, no – this won’t do!' They said the uniform was political, and no one would allow us to appear in it. It was very symbolic and strongly emphasized that Ukraine exists in the world with all its territories free from occupation," Sushkevych said.
He also added that international organizations are showing a "new wave of tolerance" toward representatives of the aggressor country, making it increasingly difficult for Ukrainian athletes to express their position.
Map that scared the IPC
The National Paralympic Committee (NPC) of Ukraine released photos of the uniform that was supposed to be the official outfit for athletes at the 2026 Games. The main design feature was a map of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders, including all temporarily occupied territories.
According to NPC President Valerii Sushkevych, the uniform was created as a manifesto of resilience and a reminder to the world of Ukraine's struggle.
"This uniform was very beautiful, very symbolic, and very explicitly shouted that Ukraine exists in the world, in Europe, with all its territories free from Russian occupation," he emphasized.
Banned Ukrainian national team uniform (photo: NPC of Ukraine)
Urgent replacement of the uniform
Due to the IPC’s strict stance, Ukrainians had to urgently produce a new uniform. The sets were transported by bus to Italy, where the national team is already located.
"We barely managed to produce the new uniform. We could have dressed the athletes here in the uniforms that were already ready, but we were banned from doing so," Sushkevych noted.
Paralympics 2026
The Winter Paralympic Games will take place in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, from March 6 to March 15.
The Ukrainian team has traditionally been among the strongest in winter sports, particularly in biathlon and cross-country skiing. The country will be represented by 35 athletes: 25 competitors and 10 guides. This is the largest representation in the history of Ukraine's national Paralympic movement.
Opening ceremony boycott
The Ukrainian delegation officially refused to participate in the opening ceremony. The reason was a major scandal over the IPC's decision to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete under their national flags and anthems.
Ukraine also demanded that the Ukrainian flag not be used during the stadium ceremonies, to avoid standing alongside the symbols of aggressor countries.
Czechia, Poland, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, the Netherlands, and Canada have already joined the boycott of the opening ceremony.
