Russia Claims First Winter Paralympic Gold Since 2014 Under Own Flag

• Varvara Voronchikhina won gold in the women’s super-G standing event at the 2026 Winter Paralympics in Cortina d’Ampezzo.
• This marks Russia’s first Winter Paralympic gold medal under its own flag since 2014, ending a decade-long wait.
• The 23-year-old skier also secured bronze in the downhill, Russia's first Winter Paralympics podium in 12 years.
• The participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes under national flags is controversial due to the ongoing war in Ukraine.
• Russia was banned from the 2018 Winter Paralympics (doping) and excluded from 2022 (Ukraine invasion), returning as neutral in 2024 Summer Games.