Medvedeva pointed to the well-deserved right of Russian athletes to compete under the country's flag.

Russian Paralympians have earned their right to compete at the Paralympic Games under the national flag and anthem. This opinion was expressed on October 10 by figure skater Evgenia Medvedeva, answering a question from Izvestia.

"Finally, we are getting back what rightfully belongs to us - the flag, the anthem. <...> I am very happy for our Paralympians. They, like no one else, have earned this right to stand on the top step of the podium, see the flag and listen to the anthem," Medvedev said.

According to her, the lack of these national symbols is very depressing for athletes during performances.

"It's becoming much more difficult morally," Medvedeva said.

In addition, the figure skater noted her colleagues Adelia Petrosyan and Peter Gumennik, who passed the Olympic selection in Beijing, earning the right to participate in the Olympic Games in Milan in 2026.

"The Olympic Games are the highest level that any athlete aspires to reach," she stressed.

The Great Return: Russian Paralympians allowed to perform with a flag

The International Paralympic Committee lifted restrictions for Russians, coming into conflict with the IOC

The Russian Paralympic Committee (RPC) announced on September 27 that it had achieved its reinstatement to membership in the IPC. The International Committee made this decision in South Korea. Now athletes will be able to participate in world-class competitions using the national flag, coat of arms and anthem.

On the same day, Mikhail Degtyarev, Minister of Sports and Chairman of the Russian Olympic Committee, said that the decision to allow Russian Paralympians to participate in international competitions was a landmark event for world sports. Degtyarev added that the international vote showed the presence of "sound forces" that support the development of sports without restrictions.

All important news is on the Izvestia channel in the MAX messenger.