CORTINA D'AMPEZZO, Italy (AP) — Local organizers of the Milan Cortina Paralympics defended their actions after Ukraine’s Paralympic committee accused them and the International Paralympic Committee of subjecting Ukraine athletes and coaches to “systematic pressure.”
The Milan Cortina organizing committee said on Thursday it reviewed the issues raised by Ukraine and explained its decisions.
Ukraine said on Wednesday it was disrespected for having to remove a Ukrainian flag allegedly forcefully, for having to break up planning meetings, and for one of its athletes being prohibited from wearing an earring with the words “Stop War” in a podium ceremony.
The local committee said it asked the Ukrainians to remove a national flag from a “communal space” because village regulations say national flags may be displayed “only in the residential areas they occupy.”
The committee said Ukraine is able to book “dedicated rooms within the village to host meetings,” saying it “works closely with all teams to accommodate meetings of different sizes.”
Craig Spence, the IPC chief brand and communications officer, on Wednesday cited Games' regulations as the reason for stopping the Ukrainian athlete from wearing the “Stop War” earring on the podium.
Organizers added that at the Para cross-country venue five fans tried to enter wearing scarves in the colors of the Ukrainian flag and with text on them.
“As venue security could not verify the meaning of the text, and it may have contained political messaging, which is not permitted under Games regulations, the spectators were asked to enter the venue without the scarves,” the local organizing committee said. “The items were returned to them when they exited the venue.
“(Organizers and the IPC) remain committed to providing a respectful and welcoming environment for all stakeholders, including athletes and spectators. The rules and procedures in place during the Games are designed to support that environment and are applied equally to all delegations.”
Ukraine was one of several countries that boycotted the opening ceremony because the IPC allowed Russian athletes wild card entries and to compete under their own flag for the first time in more than a decade at the Paralympics.
AP Winter Paralympics: https://apnews.com/hub/paralympic-games
A volunteer holds the Ukrainian flag to take part in the opening ceremony at the 2026 Winter Paralympics, in Verona, Italy, Friday, March 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
HOUSTON (AP) — Aaron Judge doubled and Pete Crow-Armstrong and Brice Turang each had two hits as the United States beat Canada 5-3 on Friday night to reach the World Baseball Classic semifinals.
The U.S. squad rebounded after an 8-6 loss to Italy in pool play left them needing help to advance to this round.
The Americans move on to face the Dominican Republic in a semifinal on Sunday in Miami, with Paul Skenes starting against the Dominicans' Luis Severino. It will be the team’s third straight appearance in the semifinals and the fourth overall.
It’s another big win for the U.S. over its neighbors to the north, coming after the U.S. hockey team beat Canada 2-1 in overtime to win the gold medal at the Milan Olympics last month.
Bo Naylor hit a two-run homer in Canada’s three-run sixth that cut the deficit to two runs. But the U.S. bullpen closed it out, capped by Mason Miller striking out the side in the ninth for the save.
Canada, which was in the quarterfinals for the first time, fell to 1-5 against the U.S. in the WBC.
Canada trailed by five runs when Owen Caissie walked with one out in the sixth and moved to second on a groundout by Abraham Toro. Tyler Black’s RBI single off Brad Keller cut the lead to 5-1.
Naylor’s shot to the second deck in right field came on Gabe Speier’s fifth pitch and got Canada within 5-3. It was the 10th home run the U.S. has allowed in five games in the tournament.
Canada had a shot to close the gap in the seventh when it had runners on second and third with no outs. But David Bednar retired the next three batters, with two strikeouts, to escape the jam.
U.S. starter Logan Webb allowed four hits and walked one with five strikeouts in 4 2/3 innings.
Bobby Witt Jr. was on with one out in the first when Judge doubled before Witt scored on a groundout by Kyle Schwarber to give the U.S. an early lead. The double by Judge was the only extra-base hit of the night for the U.S.
Canada had a runner on first with two outs in the second when Witt made a leaping catch on a ball hit by Edouard Julien to end the inning.
The bases were loaded with two outs in the third when Alex Bregman singled on a ground ball to Toro. His throw to first sailed over Josh Naylor’s head and into the dugout and two runs scored to make it 3-0.
Roman Anthony singled with one out in the sixth before a walk by Cal Raleigh. Brice Turang singled on a grounder to center field to score Anthony and push the lead to 4-0. Crow-Armstrong sent the next pitch into center field for an RBI single before Witt grounded into a double play to end the inning.
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
United States pitcher Gabe Speier delivers a pitch against Canada during the sixth inning of a World Baseball Classic quarterfinal game, Friday, March 13, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
United States pitcher Logan Webb reacts after striking out Canada third baseman Abraham Toro (31) to end the first inning of a World Baseball Classic quarterfinal game, Friday, March 13, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Canada catcher Bo Naylor, hits a two-run homer against the United States during the sixth inning of a World Baseball Classic quarterfinal game, Friday, March 13, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
United States right fielder Aaron Judge celebrates his double against Canada during the first inning of a World Baseball Classic quarterfinal game, Friday, March 13, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
United States second baseman Brice Turang (13) hits an RBI single against Canada during the sixth inning of a World Baseball Classic quarterfinal game, Friday, March 13, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
