Ukraine Assembles Largest-Ever Paralympic Team for 2026 Games With 35 Athletes

Ukraine has formed the largest delegation in its history for the 2026 Paralympic Games in Milan-Cortina. A total of 35 athletes—25 Paralympians and 10 guides—will represent the country, marking a record for Ukraine.

This was reported by Suspilne Sport on February 25.

This year, Ukraine will compete in four sports: para biathlon, para alpine skiing, and the return of para alpine skiing (for the first time since 2014) and para snowboarding (for the first time since 2018).

According to the National Paralympic Committee, "blue and yellow" athletes have secured 25 licenses for the 2026 Paralympic Games, setting a new record. The previous highest number of representatives was at the 2014 Paralympic Games, when 23 athletes competed in three sports.

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A key feature of this delegation is Ukraine's return to alpine skiing and snowboarding after a long break. Debutants at the Paralympics will include blogger and YouTube channel “One Right Hand” creator Vladyslav Khilchenko, competing in para snowboarding, and alpine skier Maksym Helyuta.

However, this achievement comes amidst controversy, as Ukraine has announced its decision to boycott the opening ceremonies of the 2026 Winter Paralympic Games in protest of the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes under their national flags.

The Ukrainian Paralympic team, alongside the National Paralympic Committee of Ukraine, made this announcement on February 20, responding to the International Paralympic Committee’s (IPC) decision to grant Russia the largest number of slots for participation without a qualification process.

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The Ukrainian Paralympic Committee emphasized that, “Many countries around the world had requested additional slots for their young athletes and to start developing winter Paralympic sports in their countries, but contrary to the regulations for slot distribution, the IPC decided to give the largest number of slots to Russia.” In light of this, Ukraine and Estonia’s boycott represents a call for fairness and integrity within the Paralympic Games.

Earlier, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha criticized the decision to permit Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete in the Winter Paralympics under their national flags, stating that it “disrespects the Paralympic community and all of Ukraine” and damages trust in international sports.

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