Russia has secured its first Winter Paralympic medals in more than a decade, marking an important moment for the country’s return to the international Paralympic stage.
At the Winter Paralympic alpine skiing events in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Russian athletes Varvara Voronchikhina and Aleksei Bugaev each won bronze medals in the downhill standing competitions on Saturday.
Their podium finishes represent Russia’s first medals at the Winter Paralympics since the 2014 Winter Paralympics held in Sochi, ending a long absence from the medal table.
Emotional Moment for Russian Athletes
Voronchikhina described her medal as a proud moment not just for herself but for the entire Russian team.
She said the opportunity to compete again while representing her country and seeing the national flag appear on the medal table meant a lot after years of restrictions.
According to the athlete, the long period without the national flag at major international events made the moment even more meaningful. She also celebrated the achievement as the first Paralympic medal of her career.
A Long Absence From the Paralympic Stage
Russia’s participation in major international sporting events has faced significant restrictions over the past decade.
The country was previously barred from competing under its national flag following investigations into state-supported doping programs. Later, further sanctions were imposed after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which led to many international sports bodies suspending Russian teams.
However, in 2025 the International Paralympic Committee decided to lift the suspension, allowing Russian athletes to return to the Winter Paralympic Games under specific conditions.
As a result, six Russian athletes traveled to Italy to compete in alpine skiing and other events.
Voronchikhina Eyes More Medals
Voronchikhina’s bronze medal may not be the last success for the Russian team during the Games.
The skier is expected to compete in four more alpine skiing events, including:
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Combined
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Slalom
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Giant Slalom
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Super-G
Experts believe she has a strong chance of winning another medal, particularly in Super-G and slalom, which are considered her strongest disciplines.
Veteran Bugaev Adds Another Medal
Later on Saturday, experienced Paralympian Aleksei Bugaev also stepped onto the podium.
The 28-year-old skier won bronze in the men’s downhill standing event, marking the eighth Paralympic medal of his career.
Bugaev said the medal was one of the most difficult achievements of his sporting career due to the challenging course and intense competition.
He added that being able to represent his country again and compete without restrictions made the moment even more special.
Russian Team Appears at Opening Ceremony
Russia’s presence at the Games was already noticeable during the opening ceremony in Verona.
Members of the Russian delegation attended the ceremony wearing red and gold team jackets. The reaction from the crowd was mostly quiet, although some supporters waved Russian flags in the stands and applauded the team.
The decision allowing Russian athletes to participate followed a ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, which overturned an earlier decision by the International Ski and Snowboard Federation that had prevented them from competing.
British Paralympian Withdraws From Downhill Race
While Russia celebrated its return to the medal table, another major story from the alpine skiing competition involved British athlete Menna Fitzpatrick.
The 27-year-old skier, widely considered Britain’s most successful Winter Paralympian, withdrew from the women’s visually impaired downhill event.
Fitzpatrick had qualified for the Games despite suffering a serious knee injury just three months earlier. Although she trained on the Cortina course earlier in the week, she decided to skip the downhill race.
She now plans to start her competition in the Super-G event on Tuesday, giving herself more time to recover and prepare.
Growing Attention on the Winter Paralympics
The Winter Paralympic Games continue to attract global attention as athletes with disabilities compete at the highest level in sports such as alpine skiing, biathlon, cross-country skiing, and snowboarding.
For many competitors, the Games represent years of training and determination to overcome physical challenges and achieve success on the world stage.
Russia’s return to the medal table, along with performances from athletes across dozens of countries, highlights the competitive spirit and resilience that define the Paralympic movement.
