Russia secured its first Winter Paralympic gold medal under its own flag since 2014 as skier Varvara Voronchikhina claimed the women’s super-G standing title on Monday in Cortina.
Despite Russia’s ongoing war with Ukraine, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) allowed six Russian athletes and four from ally Belarus to compete under their national flags, rather than as neutral participants.
At 23 years old, Voronchikhina, who had already earned a bronze medal last weekend, finished 1.96 seconds ahead of French silver medallist Aurelie Richard on the Olympia delle Tofane piste to secure top spot.
“Congratulations to Varvara Voronchikhina on Russia’s first gold medal in the super-G at the Milan-Cortina Paralympics,” Russia’s sports minister Mikhail Degtyarev posted on Telegram. “The Russian anthem is playing,” he added, referencing the podium ceremony scheduled for later Monday.
Russia was banned from the 2018 Winter Paralympics due to a doping scandal, though some athletes competed under neutral colours. Following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Russia and Belarus were barred from those Games but were allowed to compete as neutral athletes in the 2024 Paris Summer Paralympics.
Reflecting on her journey, Voronchikhina recalled the disappointment of being unable to compete four years ago in Beijing due to Russia’s suspension by the IPC. “For me it was really, really sad and I hope in these Games I will be better and it will be,” she said.
