For the first time in over a decade, Russian athletes will compete under their national flag at the Winter Paralympics, thanks to an allocation of six quota spots for the 2026 Milano Cortina Games by the sport’s governing body.

The International Paralympic Committee has confirmed that Russia’s National Paralympic Committee will have competitors in three different sports at the upcoming event in Italy.

The Russian team will feature two para alpine skiers, one male and one female, alongside a male and female contender in para cross-country skiing, and two male snowboarders.

This development signals a notable comeback for Russia, which faced its initial Paralympic ban in 2016 due to a state-sponsored doping scandal.

Further suspension occurred in 2022 following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which intensified international scrutiny.

Russian athletes last participated under their national banner during the 2014 Winter Paralympics in Sochi, coinciding with Russia’s hosting of both the Olympic and Paralympic Games that year.

Since then, any Russian competitors have taken part under a neutral banner.

Russian athletes are set to compete under their own flag at the Winter Paralympics for the first time in 12 years. Pictured: Russian Paralympic athletes return after being banned from 2022 Beijing Winter Games

Russian President Vladimir Putin greets paralympic athlets during the reception at the Kremlin, Russia, March, 20, 2018

It marks a significant return for Russia, which was first banned from the Paralympics in 2016 following revelations of a state-sponsored doping programme. Pictured: A general view shows the Olympic rings on the Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium

IPC president Andrew Parsons previously insisted participation was ‘not linked to participation in wars’, but acknowledged Russia and Belarus had used Paralympic sport to promote what Moscow termed its ‘special operation’.

He said there was now ‘less evidence’ of the Games being used to promote the war.

The decision is likely to prove controversial.

The UK and 32 largely European nations last year signed a joint statement expressing ‘serious concern’ after IPC members voted to lift partial suspensions on Russia and Belarus.

But earlier this month Olympic chiefs indicated Russia could soon be allowed back into the Games.

Only 13 Russians are competing as ‘neutrals’ at the Winter Games this month, with the nation outcasted by the Olympics in the wake of the Ukrainian invasion in 2022.

However, that situation could be thawing after International Olympic Committee president Kirsty Coventry stated a desire to see athletes separated from the actions of their governments. 

Although she did not mention the Russian exile directly, Coventry’s comments were accepted as a move towards a return.

Speaking ahead of the opening ceremony in Milan on February 6, Coventry said at the IOC Session: ‘Throughout the campaign and in many of our conversations since, I have heard the same message from many of you. Focus on our core. 

‘We are a sports organisation. We understand politics and we know we don’t operate in a vacuum. But our game is sport.’

She added: ‘That means keeping sport a neutral ground. A place where every athlete can compete freely, without being held back by the politics or divisions of their governments.

‘In a world that is increasingly divided, this principle matters more than ever. It is what allows the Olympic Games to remain a place of inspiration where the athletes of the world can come together and showcase the best of our humanity.’

Following Coventry’s remarks, Russian IOC member Shamil Tarpischev said relations between his nation and Olympic powerbrokers are improving.

‘It was emphasised in her speech that the political component shouldn’t play a role,’ he told German media. ‘Because sport is inspiration and the future. So far, everything is going smoothly and honorably. But we still have a lot of discussions to make.

‘Compared to the Paris Games, it’s much easier now. There’s more understanding, and communication with IOC members isn’t as tense.’