IPC issue update after Germany protest against Russia at Winter Paralympics medal ceremony
Six Russian athletes were granted to compete under their nation's flag at Milan-Cortina to the dismay of other participating nations.
The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has provided an update after a German para-athlete, Linn Kazmaier and her guide, Florian Baumann, appeared to protest while standing next to Russia’s gold medallist Anastaiia Bagiian and her guide, Sergei Siniakin, during a medal ceremony at the Milan–Cortina Winter Paralympics.
On Wednesday (11 March), Kazmaier and Baumann turned their backs towards the Russians in an apparent protest against the nation’s inclusion in the Games.
The 2026 Games are the first in which Russian athletes have been allowed to compete under their nation’s flag since Sochi 2014.
Russia were initially suspended due to state-sponsored doping before the 2022 invasion of Ukraine saw several sporting bodies – including FIFA, UEFA and the IOC – expel the nation from competition.
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Belarus were also banned following the 2022 invasion due to their support of Russia.
However, four Belarusian athletes are at the 2026 Games alongside six Russians after a ruling at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in the winter of 2025.
Russia have won four golds at the ongoing Games, with Bagiian triumphing in the women's sprint classic vision-impaired event on Tuesday (10 March).
During Wednesday’s medal ceremony, the Germans turned their backs on the Russians while the national anthems were played.
According to the Milan–Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games Demonstrations regulations, athletes are not permitted to display any “kind of demonstration, protest or political statement” in “any Paralympic venues”.
Regulations also explain that the rules cover official ceremonies, the field of play and the athlete village.
When contacted by SPORTbible, the IPC said that it was “aware” of the Germans’ actions while “gathering evidence and analysing” the incident.
Kazmaier has since spoken out on the protest during an interview with BILD.
“The medal ceremony felt completely strange,” the 19-year-old said.
“I don't know the [Russians], I don't know if perhaps they also support the system in Russia as little as we do.
“Perhaps they are really nice people, who we could be friends with. That it is so totally overshadowed by politics is simply a complete shame.
“That’s why we decided to leave our hats on and not turn towards the flag, because we do not support it.”
BILD also reported that the Germans would not take part in medallists’ selfies after the ceremony.
“Four years ago in Beijing we had a great exchange with the Ukrainians. We wanted to show solidarity with them,” said Baumann when pressed on the matter.
“It’s not about the Russian athletes themselves. It’s also difficult for many of them, but the IPC’s decision to have Russia here under their flag, with their anthem and their full contingent in attendance, while the Ukrainians are also here, I find simply not correct.”
It is unclear whether the German team will face sanctions due to the protest.
Topics: Paralympics, Russia
Luke Davies