Russian and Belarusian athletes will compete under their own flags at the 2026 Winter Paralympics in Milan-Cortina.

This marks the first time since 2014 that the Russian flag will be allowed at the event.

In addition, the opening ceremony on Friday March 6 will see the Russian national anthem heard for the first time in over 10 years, with several European delegates threatening a boycott over the decision. 

While being previously banned for doping, The International Paralympic Committee has confirmed that six Russian athletes will compete in Milano-Cortina.

The country was first banned from Olympic events in 2018 but have since developed an ongoing conflict with neighbouring country Ukraine. So, what does this now mean for Russia to compete?

Ex-Paralympian and Veteran Talan Skeels-Piggins knows all too well about the resilience and determination needed for international Winter sport success. 

Talan Skeels-Piggins said: “For me, personally, it was an incredible relief to get there. It wasn’t a given. I managed to qualify on the very last day before at the very last race that could qualify was how I managed to finally get in” 

The battle goes far beyond sporting ability when it comes to competing against an athlete whose flag is burnt and detested in your homeland.

Previously a PE teacher, Skeels-Piggins suffered a life changing motorcycle accident in 2003 which left him paralysed from the chest down. 

He defined all odds when he qualified and competed in the 2010 Vancouver Winter Paralympics, with only seven years of having to learn and adapt to his new way of life. 

Skeels-Piggins experienced an incredibly difficult 2008 season, after a heart shattering event in his family. 

He said: “Tragically my brother committed suicide and I couldn’t focus, and I couldn’t do anything” 

In the face of obstacle after obstacle, the Paralympian refused to give up on his dream. 

He said: “I was both honoured and humbled to be there at the same time, it was a vindication of all the hardship that I’d been through, all the hard work, the commitment to the training”

Talan Skeels-Piggins gave his outlook on Russia being able to compete. As an ex-veteran, he shared his personal perspective on the conflicts beyond the slopes.

When asked about The IPC’s decision on Russia and Belarusians being able to complete under their home flag he said: “People are still dying, and so therefore you should not have opposing countries competing”.

News broke today regarding the possibility of Russia training up former soldiers who have suffered life changing injuries during the conflict. 

For someone who risked their life to protect their country, Talan acknowledged the difficulties of competing against an individual who has attacked your homeland.

He said: “Politically and also for the mental health of those that are actually trying to use sport for the force of good, rather than facing up to that mentor, those people that may have been the perpetrators” 

The event is set to be one to be remembered, a showcase for athletes to demonstrate their years of hard work, not to be overlooked by the colour of flag.