Winter Paralympics 2026: Russian athletes win first medals since being allowed to compete under their own flag

Russia's Aleksei Bugaev waves from the podium after winning a bronze medal. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

Russian athletes competing in the 2026 Winter Paralympics under their own flag for the first time since 2014 have won their country's first medals.

The image of Russian athletes sharing podiums with their fellow Paralympians marks a significant step towards bringing the country back from sporting exile.

Russia was twice banned from the Games, first in 2016 over a state-sponsored doping scheme, and then in 2022 due to the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

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The illegal invasion of Ukraine and Russia's subsequent bombing of civilians led to the country being prevented from competing in a host of sporting competitions.

Russian national teams and clubs were suspended from all football competitions by FIFA and UEFA in February 2022.

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Sky Sports senior reporter Geraint Hughes discusses the reaction to Russian athletes winning the first medals since being allowed to compete under their own flag at the Winter Paralympics

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) banned Russia from competing at the Olympics following accusations of widespread doping at its Sochi Winter Games in 2014.

The country was suspended again when athletes appeared to promote the war in Ukraine by displaying the letter "Z" on uniforms and equipment during the Beijing Winter Olympics in the days after the invasion in February 2022.

Russian athletes entered as neutrals in subsequent games, without their national flag or anthem - including at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics last month.

But the governing body allowed them to enter under the Russian emblem in the Paralympics in Italy.

Bronze medalist Varvara Voronchikhina of Russia (right) poses on the podium of the alpine skiing women's downhill standing competition.

Russian athletes back on the podium

On Saturday, Russia managed to win two bronze medals.

Para alpine skiers Varvara Voronchikhina and Aleksei Bugaev claimed the medals in the women's and men's downhill standing competition.

Russia have six athletes at the Games.

Russian athletes were given wildcard entries by the International Paralympic Committee, a decision that outraged Ukraine and other nations that boycotted the opening ceremony on Friday.