- REUTERS PICCORTINA D'AMPEZZO: Russia won its first Winter Paralympic medals since 2014 on Saturday as Varvara Voronchikhina and Aleksei Bugaev claimed bronze in the women's and men's downhill standing events in Cortina. Russia was banned from the 2018 Games due to a doping scandal, although some athletes were permitted to compete under neutral colours. Voronchikhina said that four years ago in Beijing, she was ready to compete before Russia was suspended by the IPC. "For me it was really, really sad and I hope in these Games I will be better and it will be." And even more so to bring home a medal so that the flag can fly."

Source: New Strait Times March 07, 2026 15:19 UTC