At the Winter Paralympics in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, Russia’s national anthem was played for the first time in over a decade following Para alpine skier Varvara Voronchikhina’s gold medal win in the women’s super-G standing competition. This marked Russia’s return to competition under its own flag after years of sanctions due to doping violations and military conflicts. Voronchikhina expressed her joy and disbelief at the victory, while the presence of Russian athletes sparked controversy, leading to boycotts from several nations. The event highlights ongoing tensions surrounding Russia’s participation in international sports amid geopolitical issues.
