As war rages, Paralympics open in Beijing without Russia

By KEN MORITSUGU
Associated Press

BEIJING (AP) — The Winter Paralympics have opened in Beijing with the Russian athletes sent home and the Ukrainian team escaping a war zone to get to China. The head of the Ukrainian delegation says “it’s a miracle that we have made it to the Paralympics.” Russia’s invasion of Ukraine started shortly after the Winter Olympics wrapped up in Beijing. Paralympic organizers initially announced that Russians and Belarusians would be allowed to compete in Beijing. But they reversed course one day before the opening and expelled athletes from both countries. The 10-day event closes on March 13.