CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, Italy (AP) — Russia’s nationwide anthem rang out on the Paralympics for the primary time in additional than a decade after Para alpine skier Varvara Voronchikhina received gold on Monday.
Russian athletes are again competing under their own flag within the Winter Paralympics at Milan Cortina, after years of getting to take action as impartial athletes due to the nation’s doping violations and army conflicts.
The 23-year-old Voronchikhina, who claimed bronze in the downhill two days earlier, completed first within the girls’s super-G standing competitors.
With the Russian flag flying excessive through the podium ceremony shortly after the occasion, the anthem was performed and Voronchikhina sang alongside, smiling. She raised her proper hand to apparently wipe away tears just a few seconds in.
When it was over, she raised each her arms to have a good time as the gang applauded.
There was additionally applause when her identify was introduced because the gold medalist through the ceremony.
It’s the first time Russia’s anthem has been performed at a serious international sporting occasion for the reason that invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and the primary time to be heard on the Paralympics for the reason that 2014 Video games in Sochi.
“It’s actually particular for me, I can see my flag (on the highest of the rostrum),” Voronchikhina mentioned. “Possibly now I can’t imagine it, and I don’t perceive what occurred. Possibly I’ll see my gold medal and (imagine)… it’s so particular for me.
“It’s wonderful. I’ve an enormous assist of my household and associates and all of the folks in Russia.”
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Varvara Voronchikhina, of Russia, crosses the end line within the alpine snowboarding girls’s super-G standing closing on the 2026 Winter Paralympics, in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, Monday, March 9, 2026. (AP Picture/Emilio Morenatti)
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Varvara Voronchikhina, of Russia, crosses the end line within the alpine snowboarding girls’s super-G standing closing on the 2026 Winter Paralympics, in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, Monday, March 9, 2026. (AP Picture/Emilio Morenatti)
The Russian nationwide anthem for a gold medal win has not been heard at any Olympics or Paralympics for the reason that 2016 Rio de Janeiro Summer season Video games.
Russian athletes had been initially banned due to a state-sponsored doping program, and the sanctions had continued after the invasion.
Russia arrived at Milan Cortina with six athletes. The Worldwide Paralympic Committee gave wildcard entries to Russian athletes, a choice that upset Ukraine and some different nations that boycotted the opening ceremony on Friday.
AP Winter Paralympics: https://apnews.com/hub/paralympic-games
