Ukraine, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Poland, Canada, Croatia, Lithuania, the Netherlands and Germany are boycotting tonight's Paralympics opening ceremony in Verona.
The background is that the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) allows athletes from Russia and Belarus to compete under their own flags in Italy. This is unlike the Olympics in February, when Russians and Belarusians competed under neutral flags due to the war against Ukraine.
The Swedish team is not boycotting the opening ceremony, but will not participate on site for logistical reasons.
Previously, squad manager Niclas Grön said, among other things, that "if you've trained for four years, you don't go there."
Now the Swedish team is also showing solidarity with Ukraine.
"It should be noted that the Swedish Paralympic Committee has chosen not to attend the opening ceremony in Verona. It is actually a stark departure from solidarity and respect for Ukraine," says Bo Sköld, Secretary General of the Swedish Paralympic Committee.
"We do not want to create more sport politics during the Games; let's focus on achievements and our athletes."
Minister of Sports Jakob Forssmed and the government have chosen not to attend the opening ceremony.
"We don't want to do that. Then parasport will have to answer for its positions. That's the system we have in Sweden - that you are responsible for the positions you take."
Traveling to the games – but avoiding Russian athletes
Forssmed is going to travel to Italy, but has changed his schedule.
"I have rearranged my planned program to ensure that I am not present at any event where Russian or Belarusian participants are taking part. So I will not go to the Alpine competitions, which I had planned to do – because I and the government do not want to be involved in being there when they participate," says Forssmed.
Furious at IPC's decision
Jakob Forssmed thinks the decision from the International Paralympic Committee is lousy.
"I think it is a deplorable, despicable action by the International Paralympic Committee to let the Russian flag fly and the national anthem be played if they win," says Forssmed.
"At the same time, Ukrainians are not even allowed to wear a jacket with a stylized map image because it is considered politically provocative."
