Russia has recorded victory on Monday with Varvara Voronchikhina winning the women’s super-G standing event at the Winter Paralympics in Cortina.
The 23-year-old skier delivered a dominant performance to claim gold, finishing 1.96 seconds ahead of French competitor Aurelie Richard, who took silver.
The victory marks Russia’s first Winter Paralympic gold medal under its national flag since 2014.
Despite the ongoing war with Ukraine, the International Paralympic Committee allowed a small group of athletes from Russia and Belarus to compete in the Games while representing their countries and using their national flags rather than competing as neutral athletes.
Voronchikhina had already made history earlier in the competition, winning bronze in the downhill on Saturday, Russia’s first podium finish at a Winter Paralympic Games in 12 years.
Russia was barred from the 2018 Winter Paralympics following a doping scandal, although some athletes were permitted to compete under neutral colours.
Athletes from Russia and Belarus were also banned from the 2022 Winter Paralympics after the invasion of Ukraine, though they were later allowed to participate as neutral competitors at the 2024 Summer Paralympics.
Speaking after claiming bronze in the downhill event earlier in the Games, Voronchikhina reflected on the disappointment of missing the previous Paralympics.
“For me it was really, really sad and I hope in these Games I will be better and it will be,” she said, recalling how she was in Beijing four years ago preparing to compete before Russia was suspended by the IPC.
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