Varvara Voronchikhina

Varvara Voronchikhina, a 24-year-old Russian alpine skier, made headlines after winning a bronze medal in the women's standing downhill event at the 2026 Paralympic Games in Milan Cortina. This marked her debut at the Paralympics, and she expressed her joy at competing under her country's flag, which had been absent from international competitions for an extended period due to previous sanctions. Voronchikhina reflected on the challenges faced by Russian athletes, particularly in light of the restrictions following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.