Summary
Varvara Voronchikhina, a para-alpine skier, won Russia's first medal in the Milan-Cortina Winter Paralympics, earning a bronze in the downhill event. This marks the first time since 2014 that the Russian flag appears on the Paralympic medal table. The return of Russian athletes to international competition followed a successful appeal to lift bans imposed due to conflicts and past doping scandals.
Key Facts
- Varvara Voronchikhina won a bronze medal in the downhill event at the Milan-Cortina Winter Paralympics.
- This is the first time since 2014 the Russian flag is on a Paralympic medal table.
- Russian athletes returned to competition after winning an appeal against a ban by the international skiing body.
- Russia faced a ban due to its past doping scandals and the invasion of Ukraine.
- Voronchikhina is a two-time world champion and is competing in her first Paralympics.
- She finished 2.47 seconds behind the gold medalist, Ebba Aarsjoe from Sweden.
- The return of Russian athletes under their national flag has led to a boycott by seven nations, including Ukraine.
- The International Paralympic Committee confirmed injured Russian soldiers could compete in future Paralympic events.
