Croatian officials to boycott 2026 Winter Paralympic Games opening

Verona Arena

ZAGREB, 2 March (Hina) – In a show of solidarity with Ukraine, the Croatian government has decided that its representatives will not attend the opening ceremony of the Winter Paralympic Games in Italy.

The move comes after the International Paralympic Committee allowed athletes from Russia and Belarus to compete under their national symbols at the Games.

According to the recommendations of the International Olympic Committee, athletes from these two countries may take part in international competitions only as neutral individuals, without the use of national symbols.

Croatia, together with like-minded countries, has signed several statements supporting the position that participation by Russian and Belarusian athletes is acceptable solely under such neutral status, the Ministry of Tourism and Sport said in a statement.

Regardless of the decision by the International Paralympic Committee, Croatia continues to consider the participation under national symbols of a country that for years has carried out aggression and endangered the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, as well as violated international law, fundamental European values, and the core Olympic and Paralympic ideals, and of the country supporting it, as completely unacceptable, the government said.

Around 700 para-athletes from some fifty countries are expected to compete at the 14th edition of the Winter Paralympic Games.

The opening ceremony will take place on 6 March in Verona, and the closing ceremony on 15 March in Cortina d’Ampezzo.

Representing Croatia will be five athletes: Dino Sokolović, Lucija Smetiško, Karla Kordić and her brother Petar Kordić in para alpine skiing, and Bruno Bošnjak in para snowboard.