- Ukraine received a warm welcome at the Winter Paralympics opening ceremony on Friday night.
- The nation’s team and officials opted to boycott the ceremony in protest at the decision to allow Russian athletes to compete under their own national flag.
- However, when Ukraine’s name was read out at the parade and volunteers came out, there was a loud cheer from the crowd in Italy.
- Six other nations also boycotted the opening ceremony to show solidarity with Ukraine following Russia’s invasion in 2022.
- Six Russian athletes are due to compete at the Paralympics, while four slots have also been handed to Belarusian athletes.
