The 14th Paralympic Games in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo concluded yesterday, with the largest medal totals going to the teams of China, the United States, and Russia.
China won 15 gold medals out of 44 total medals, while the United States secured 13 golds out of 24 medals. The Russian team finished with 8 gold medals out of 12 total medals.
The results become even more striking when compared to the size of the teams. China was represented by 70 athletes, and the United States by 68. Italy, the host country, fielded 42 competitors and ultimately finished fourth in the medal standings.
The Russian delegation, however, consisted of only six athletes. Several international sports federations responsible for athlete qualification maintained sanctions policies and did not allow additional Russian competitors to participate.
As a result, the Russian team averaged two medals per athlete, an outcome that is difficult to find parallels for in the history of the Olympic movement.
Zelensky Announces Sanctions
Ukraine reacted quickly to the results. President Volodymyr Zelensky announced sanctions against what he described as “ten Russian Paralympians”, accusing them of “participating in the war of aggression” and “spreading Russian propaganda.”
Critics have questioned these claims. None of the six Russian athletes who competed could have served in the military, they argue, as they have lived with disabilities since childhood.
As for propaganda, observers note that the only visible difference may have been their stronger performance compared with Ukrainian competitors.
Meanwhile, if any political statements were made during the Paralympic Games, critics say they came from the Ukrainian delegation, which reportedly received warnings from the organizers.
The announcement also raised a practical question: if the Russian team consisted of six athletes, who were the “ten Russian Paralympians” mentioned in the sanctions list?
