The UK Government has announced that it will join the boycott of the Winter Paralympics opening and closing ceremonies. They are not the only nation to have taken this stance ahead of the games, either.
The opening ceremony for the 2026 Winter Paralympics in Milan-Cortina will take place on Friday (6 March). But it has already sparked controversy as it will mark the return of Russian and Belarusian flags on the sporting stage for the first time since the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Indeed, the International Olympic Committee approved the decision of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) to allow athletes from Russia and Belarus to compete under their own flags rather than as neutrals. As a result, seven countries will not attend the opening ceremony.
UK Government Statement on Winter Paralympics Opening and Closing Ceremonies
“We strongly oppose the decision of the International Paralympic Committee to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete under their own flags at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games
“We have been clear that the Russian and Belarusian states should not be represented in international sport while the barbaric full-scale invasion of Ukraine is ongoing.
“Therefore, no Government Ministers or officials will attend the Opening or Closing Ceremonies of the Paralympics.”
Adding to this, a UK Government spokesperson said: “The Minister for Sport [Stephanie Peacock] will be in Cortina purely to support our inspirational ParalympicsGB athletes, as she was there to support TeamGB at the Winter Olympics last month.
“They have worked tirelessly over the last four years to be ready for the biggest moment of their sporting lives and deserve to have the nation behind them.”
It comes as a response after six athletes from Russia and four athletes from Belarus will now be allowed to compete in the Games by the IPC. It will be the first time athletes have competed under the Russian flag at the Paralympics since the 2014 Games in Sochi.
“Our clear focus remains on supporting all stakeholders arriving and preparing to deliver the best Paralympic Winter Games. We are collaborating with Milano Cortina and ensuring this event continues to serve as a platform to drive social change for the world’s 1.3 billion persons with disability.”
“I acknowledge this decision has not been well received in some parts of the world,” Parsons added. “But I want to stress that the IPC is a democratic global organisation whose decisions on member suspension are determined by its members.
“Last September was the third time the general assembly voted on this topic. In 2022, [the result was] full suspension. In 2023, partial suspension, 2025, no suspension. Each time the IPC respected and implemented the decision of our member organisations, as we are bound by our constitution to do so. We cannot pick and choose when to be democratic.”
Those tuning into ITV’s coverage of Portugal’s 5-0 World Cup victory over Uzbekistan on Tuesday evening have called for one commentator to be taken off-air over “nauseating” comments about Cristiano Ronaldo. Last week, the 41-year-old extended an unwanted run by making it 10 consecutive major international tournament appearances without finding the net.
That sparked fresh debate over whether Portugal might be better off without him, particularly given Roberto Martinez’s side are among the favourites to go all the way this summer. Others suggested the Al-Nassr forward was past his sell-by date, but Ronaldo silenced those critics in emphatic fashion this week, producing two goals and an assist to remind everyone of his enduring quality.
After so much attention had been focussed on Lionel Messi following his flying start to Argentina’s title defence – with the Argentine leading the Golden Boot race after helping the reigning champions hit the ground running with five goals from two matches – it was finally Ronaldo’s turn to steal some of the spotlight and give his fans something to shout about.
Troy Taormina (IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters)
During ITV’s commentary, Lee Dixon appeared to let his admiration get the better of him. Several of his remarks about the Portuguese star have since sparked backlash from viewers, with some accusing the former Arsenal defender of going overboard in his praise.
His first comment was about Ronaldo’s opening goal – where he said everyone in football would have been pleased by the moment – while the second goal produced the overexaggerated suggestion that it could go down as ‘one of the best of the tournament’. Reacting to those remarks, one X user questioned:
“Has Lee Dixon been paid by [Cristiano] Ronaldo’s PR team? The love is nauseating.”
Another added: “This Ronaldo loving from Lee Dixon is bordering on Piers Morgan levels,” as a third wrote: “Dear @ITVSport, everyone that loves football, can you please stop inflicting Lee Dixon on us. Got to be the most awful co-commentator out there. Kind regards, The British Viewing Public.”
Elsewhere, Paddy Power aimed fire by posting: “‘Everyone who loves football will be pleased he scored that!’ Lee Dixon, I can assure you that you’re sorely mistaken,” while another user concluded: “I thought seeing Ronaldo scoring a brace would be the worst thing about this game but it’s actually Lee Dixon.”
Cristiano Ronaldo silenced the doubters in emphatic style during Portugal’s World Cup clash with Uzbekistan. The 41-year-old scored a first-half brace after a week of discussion about whether he should be starting games.
His opening goal came with some clever movement and a brilliant finish from Joao Cancelo’s low cross. Ronaldo proved his intelligence inside the penalty area is still at the highest level.
He doubled his tally shortly before half-time after latching onto a perfectly-timed Bruno Fernandes pass to slot past the goalkeeper with ease. Despite proving his prowess in front of goal once again, many were more impressed with a goal he technically had no part in.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s ‘High IQ’ Tactic to Throw Everyone Off
Troy Taormina (IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters)
Many were fooled into believing Ronaldo would take on a free-kick on the edge of the opposition’s penalty area after confidently putting away his first goal. After all, he’s one of the highest-scoring players from those situations in history.
Instead, he stepped aside and allowed Nuno Mendes to rifle the ball past the goalkeeper, who appeared caught off-guard by the fact the Al-Nassr forward didn’t take it. His mere presence wasn’t the only thing that fooled him into thinking that, either.
It would have been easy for viewers to miss it, but Ronaldo reportedly made his frustrations about the Uzbekistan wall inching forward very clear to the referee. By telling the wall to keep their distance, it looked even more certain he’d be the one taking the shot on.
But still, Mendes was given a gap to hit a powerful effort into the net and double Portugal’s lead. Ronaldo quickly pointed to his head, seemingly proving the ‘200+ IQ play’.
Arsenal have entered the race to sign a forward this summer, as FootMercato reports that the Gunners will need to beat their rivals to his signature.
It comes as the North London side are keen to bolster their attacking options after winning the Premier League, believing that the next evolution of the side includes more opportunities and more goals.
There are other options on the market, however, that Arsenal are seemingly pushing to sign.
Arsenal Want Crysencio Summerville
via Reuters
According to a report from FootMercato, Arsenal have entered the race to sign Crysencio Summerville, with interest seemingly building in the West Ham winger.
That is on top of reported interest from Paris Saint-Germain, which could make it tough to land the 24-year-old in the coming weeks of the market.
It means Arsenal could have some catching up to do in their move for the winger, with their rivals already seemingly pushing forward with a transfer.
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Arsenal Need To Move Fast
If Arsenal truly want to get a deal done for Summerville, then sporting director Andrea Berta will need to move fast to get ahead of the club’s rivals in pursuit of the winger.
Interest from the likes of Man United and Tottenham has been known for weeks, with talks already seemingly being held with representatives over what it could take to get a deal over the line.
While Arsenal will surely have some sway as the Premier League champions, the difficulty comes in those pre-existing relationships clubs build with agents.
The Gunners will be starting from a position slightly further back than the others, meaning they need to get a move on to at least draw level in the race.
