Czech Paralympians joins protest over Russian and Belarusian athletes

Czech Paralympic athletes will not take part in the opening ceremony of the Paralympic Games, citing opposition to the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes.

“As long as the aggression against Ukraine continues, Russian and Belarusian athletes have no place at international events,” the Czech Paralympic Committee said in a statement outlining its position.

Ukrainian athletes had previously announced a boycott of the ceremony.

Czech competitors will represent the country in four disciplines from March 6 to 15: para ice hockey, para alpine skiing, para cross-country skiing and para biathlon.