Protest Erupts at 2026 Paralympics
During the 2026 Paralympic Games in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, German athletes Linn Kazmaier and Florian Baumann declined to take a joint selfie with Russian Paralympian Anastasia Bagiyan. The incident occurred on March 10, 2026, the fourth day of competition, as twelve medal sets were awarded in para-alpine skiing and para-snowboarding events. This protest highlights the ongoing political tensions that continue to spill over into international sport.
As the Russian anthem played, Kazmaier and Baumann turned away and kept their hats on, visibly demonstrating their disapproval. In the official group photograph, they maintained a clear distance from Bagiyan and her guide, Sergei Siniakin.
Athletes Explain Their Stance
Linn Kazmaier: 'On a human level, I am very happy for these people. They might be very nice people we could even be friends with. But this is simply politically unacceptable. It feels strange and wrong.'
Florian Baumann also clarified his position, noting that four years prior in Beijing, they had excellent contact with Ukrainian athletes and wished to show solidarity with them. He added: 'This is not about the Russian athletes. For many of them, it is also very difficult right now. But the International Paralympic Committee's decision that Russia can compete here under its own flag, with its own anthem, while Ukrainians are also present, I simply consider wrong.'
Thus, the German athletes' actions served as a stark protest against the IPC's decision to allow Russian participation. The incident underscores the complex political landscape within world sports, particularly in the context of the war in Ukraine and its impact on international competitions. The German athletes' refusal demonstrates their solidarity with Ukrainian competitors and aims to draw attention to the contentious issue of Russian participation in the Paralympics, reflecting heightened international tensions amid global political conflicts.