Ukrainian Paralympics uniform banned for being considered political

Ukrainian athletes won't be allowed to wear a uniform featuring the country's map at the Milan/Cortina Paralympics after it was considered political by the International Paralympics Committee (IPC).

The ceremonial outfit showed the country within its 1991 borders, which includes Crimea and the territories currently occupied by Russia.

"According to the IPC rules for Paralympic uniforms, 'lyrics from national anthems, motivational words, public/political messages or slogans that refer to national identity' are prohibited," an IPC spokesman told dpa on Tuesday.

The map of a country falls under this category, according to the committee.

"In dialogue with the Ukrainian Paralympic Committee, an alternative was presented within 24 hours, which was approved by the IPC," the spokesman said.

The president of the Ukrainian Paralympic Committee, Valerii Sushkevych, criticized the IPC's decision.

"It was very beautiful, very symbolic, and clearly proclaimed that Ukraine exists… with all its territories, without Russian occupation," he said.

He added that the delegation was forced into a last-minute scramble to produce new uniforms before the start of the Paralympics on Friday.

Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych called the IPC's decision "shameful."

"In addition to the war with Russia, Ukrainians also have to constantly fight for their rights on international sports arenas," he wrote on Instagram.

Heraskevych made the headlines during the Milan/Cortina Winter Olympics last month after he was disqualified from the skeleton competition over a helmet controversy.

The helmet featured images of more than 20 athletes who have died in Russia's war in Ukraine, but it was banned by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

In an expedited procedure, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) upheld the ban.