Summary
No UK government ministers will go to the opening or closing ceremonies of the Winter Paralympics because Russian and Belarusian athletes are competing under their national flags. This decision comes after the International Paralympic Committee allowed these athletes to compete without restrictions. Several countries, including Ukraine, plan to boycott the opening ceremony as a protest.
Key Facts
- UK government ministers will not attend the Winter Paralympics ceremonies.
- Russian and Belarusian athletes will compete under their national flags.
- This is the first time since 2014 that the Russian flag will be used at the Paralympics.
- Sanctions were previously imposed due to state-sponsored doping and the Ukraine invasion.
- The International Paralympic Committee has lifted its partial ban on athletes from Russia and Belarus.
- Several countries, such as Ukraine and Poland, will boycott the opening ceremony.
- The UK government's absence is a protest against the inclusion of Russian and Belarusian athletes.
- The Winter Paralympics will be held from March 6-15.
