MOSCOW: Russian sports minister Mikhail Degtyarev on Saturday defended the return of the Russian flag and anthem to the Paralympics for the first time since 2014, amid a backlash from Ukraine and some European countries.
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A decision to allow six athletes from Russia to compete under their national flag and anthem in Milan-Cortina despite the ongoing four-year war on Ukraine sparked outcry in Kyiv and several European capitals.
According to the Russian minister, the athletes felt no pressure at the Winter Games.
“The masses have always supported Russia, and we can feel that at every international competition,” Degtyarev said in a written statement to AFP.
