“The medal ceremony saw the Russian flag raised and the national anthem played”
Varvara Voronchikhina won Russia’s first Paralympic gold medal in 12 years at the 2026 Winter Paralympics in Italy.
The Russian athlete claimed victory in the women’s Super-G standing event in para-alpine skiing at the Tofane Alpine Skiing Centre in Cortina d’Ampezzo. Voronchikhina delivered an impressive performance and finished 1.96 seconds ahead of her closest rival to secure the gold medal.
France’s Aurélie Richard finished in second place to take the silver medal, while Sweden’s Ebba Årsjö claimed the bronze.
The victory marked Russia’s first Paralympic gold medal since the 2014 Winter Paralympics in Sochi. During the medal ceremony, the Russian flag was raised and the national anthem was played, making it a memorable moment for the country.
Only a small Russian team is competing at the 2026 Winter Paralympics, mainly in skiing and snowboarding events. Voronchikhina’s win highlighted Russia’s return to the Paralympic stage after more than a decade without a gold medal.