Russia’s national anthem will ring out at the Paralympics for the first time in over a decade on Monday, after Para alpine skier Varvara Voronchikhina won gold.
Russian athletes are now competing under their own flag at the Winter Paralympics in Milan Cortina, following years of neutrality due to doping violations and military conflicts.
Twenty-three-year-old Voronchikhina, who claimed bronze in the downhill two days earlier, finished first in the women’s super-G standing competition. The medal ceremony was set to take place shortly.
This marks the first time Russia’s anthem will have been heard at a major global sporting event since the 2022 Ukraine invasion, and its first at the Paralympics since the 2014 Sochi Games.
Voronchikhina said: "It’s really special for me, I can see my flag (on the top of the podium). Maybe now I can’t believe it, and I don’t understand what happened.
“Maybe I’ll see my gold medal and (believe)… it’s so special for me. It’s amazing. I have a big support of my family and friends and all the people in Russia."
The anthem had not been heard for a gold medal win at any Olympics or Paralympics since the 2016 Rio Games. Athletes were initially banned due to a state-sponsored doping programme, with sanctions continuing after the invasion.
Russia arrived at Milan Cortina with six athletes, granted wildcard entries by the International Paralympic Committee. This decision drew criticism from Ukraine and other nations who boycotted Friday's opening ceremony.
Ukraine, Czechia, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland were the seven nations who did not send any athletes or officials to Friday’s ceremony, while the UK government also opted to stay away from the event.
Ukraine did receive a big cheer from the crowd in Verona when the country’s name was read out and their flag was paraded by volunteers.
