The Ukrainian team in para powerlifting refused to participate in the World Championship 2025 due to the participation of athletes from Russia and Belarus under their national symbols. The head coach stated that this decision is deliberate and complies with current legislation, and it may lead to the absence of Ukrainian athletes at the 2028 Paralympic Games.
«We are not going, we will fight for our rights, to ensure that they [Russia and Belarus] are suspended until the end of the war. So that they perform not under their flag, but under the flag of the International Paralympic Committee», - stated Alforov.
The IPC's decision has caused outrage among Ukrainian athletes and forced them to refuse to participate in the tournament, which may affect their participation in future Paralympic competitions.