CORTINA D’AMPEZZO: Russia won its first Winter Paralympic gold medal under its own flag since 2014 as skier Varvara Voronchikhina was crowned women’s super-G standing champion on Monday in Cortina.

Despite Russia’s ongoing war with Ukraine, the Intern­ational Paralympic Commi­ttee (IPC) has allowed six Russian athletes and four from their allies Belarus to rep­r­esent their countries, accompanied by their nati­onal flags, rather than competing as neutrals.

“It’s so special for me bec­ause it’s my first Paralympic Games and it’s my dream since I was a child,” Voron­chikhina told reporters after collecting her medal. “And when I see my flag, it’s so special and amazing.”

The 23-year-old dedicated the win to “our whole country, which was rooting for us... To my family and loved ones”.

Already a bronze medallist last weekend, when she clai­med Russia’s first podium appearance at a Winter Ga­mes in 12 years, Voronc­hikhina beat French silver medallist Aurelie Richard by 1.96sec on the Olympia delle Tofane piste on Monday to claim top spot. Sweden’s Ebba Aarsjoe was third.

“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 of the podium ceremony, which took place at the end of Monday’s super-G events.

Voronchikhina received a polite smattering of applause as the gold medal was placed around her neck, before the playing of the national anthem and raising of the Russian flag were greeted with a respectful silence.

During Friday’s opening ceremony in Verona, representatives of the Russian team were booed by some spectators as they paraded behind the country’s flag.

Russia was banned from the 2018 Games due to a doping scandal, although some ath­letes were permitted to com­pete under neutral colours.

“I dedicate my medal to my (deceased) grandfather,” Voronchikhina added. “Who, unfortunately, was unable to wait and see my victory.

“Because it should have happened earlier, when we won our medals, because we came to Beijing in 2022 and we were kicked out from there.”

Voronchikhina’s exploits have brought her to the attention of foreign media at the Games.

Published in Dawn, March 10th, 2026