Russian Para-alpine skier Varvara Voronchikhina claimed the first medal for her country at the Winter Paralympics since 2014, winning silver in the standing downhill event at Cortina d'Ampezzo. The 23-year-old, competing as a neutral athlete due to Russia's long-standing ban since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, finished 2.47 seconds behind Sweden's Ebba Aarsjoe. Voronchikhina, a two-time world champion who missed the 2022 Beijing Games due to the ban, expressed relief at the moment, stating, 'It's a really long time when we were without the flag.' Her victory comes after a strong return to competition, including four medals at a World Cup in Austria and a double slalom gold in Germany.

The inclusion of Russian and Belarusian athletes competing under their flags has sparked significant controversy, with seven nations boycotting Friday's opening ceremony in Verona. IPC president Andrew Parsons confirmed that Russian soldiers injured in the Ukraine conflict will be allowed to compete in future Games, a move Ukrainian athletes strongly oppose. Skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych condemned the decision, stating, 'The IPC is giving them the opportunity to continue committing genocide by spreading Russian narratives with Russian flags and symbols.' The IPC declined to comment further.