International Paralympic Committee investigating German athletes who turned their backs on russians during awards ceremony

The International Paralympic Committee is investigating possible violations of the rules by German athletes who refused to take a joint photo with russian participants during the awards ceremony.

This was reported by The Athletic.

The incident occurred after a sprint race among athletes with visual impairments, where russian skier Anastasia Bagiyan won the gold medal. German athlete Lynn Kazmaier won silver.

During the awards ceremony, when the russian anthem was playing, Kazmaier, along with guide Florian Baumann, turned their backs on the russian team.

According to Suspilne Sport, the German duo also did not join the joint photo of the winners after the ceremony. As a result, the russian and Chinese athletes were photographed together without them. During another photo on the podium, Kazmaier and Baumann stepped aside from the russian duo.

In a comment to Suspilne Sport, Kazmaier said that her actions were conscious and related to her position on russia's war against Ukraine.

"It was important for us to make a statement that this is not normal for us - the war and what is happening [in Ukraine]. We also know many Ukrainian athletes and had good conversations with some of them. They told us what is happening with their families and loved ones. It was the only right thing to do. They compete with the flag and anthem, representing their country," she said.

The International Paralympic Committee noted that the organization's rules prohibit athletes from demonstrations, protests or political statements that could affect the course of the competition or official ceremonies, including award ceremonies.

As a reminder, the International Paralympic Committee reprimanded Ukrainian athlete Oleksandra Kononova for taking part in the parabiathlon sprint wearing earrings with the inscription "Stop War".

In addition, the IPC denied the Ukrainian national team the right to use the prepared uniform at the 2026 Winter Games due to its "political nature".