Russian Skier Voronchikhina Claims Second Paralympic Gold in Slalom
Milan-Cortina, Italy – Varvara Voronchikhina of Russia has added a second gold medal to her tally at the Milan-Cortina Winter Paralympics, winning the women’s slalom standing event on Saturday. This victory marks Russia’s fifth gold medal of the Games, propelling the nation to fifth place in the medal standings with a total of nine medals.
The 23-year-old Voronchikhina previously secured gold in the super-G, and has also earned silver in the giant slalom and bronze in the downhill. Her performance underscores a strong showing for Russian athletes at this year’s Games, representing their first time competing under their own flag since the 2014 Paralympics.
A total of ten Russian and Belarusian athletes are participating in the Milan-Cortina Games, competing under their national anthem and flag.
The Russian team’s presence hasn’t been without controversy. Spectators booed the Russian delegation during the opening ceremony in Verona. Russia was banned from the 2018 Games due to a doping scandal, with athletes permitted to compete only under a neutral flag. Following the invasion of Ukraine, Russia and Belarus were banned from the 2022 Paralympics, though they were later allowed to compete as neutral athletes at the Paris Summer Paralympics in 2024.
While Voronchikhina’s super-G victory earlier in the week was met without incident, the podium ceremony following Anastasiia Bagiian’s gold medal win in the women’s sprint classic vision impaired event saw a protest. German silver medalist Linn Kazmaier and her guide Florian Baumann turned their backs during the ceremony in opposition to Russia’s inclusion in the Games.
The Paralympics conclude on Sunday with the closing ceremony.
