Nation pulls out of Paralympic Games just hours before opening ceremony
The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has confirmed that Iran will not compete at the 2026 Winter Paralympic Games due to the nation’s one para athlete being unable to travel safely to Italy amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
The opening ceremony has already been shrouded in controversy after seven nations – the Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Ukraine – confirmed that they were going to boycott the event due to the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes.
The UK government also released a statement confirming that ministers would not be at the ceremony in Verona.
On Friday afternoon (6 March), the IPC released a statement and confirmed that the National Paralympic Committee of Iran would not be participating in Milano Cortina 2026 due to para cross-country skier Aboulfazl Khatibi Mianaei being unable to safely travel to the event due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
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Following the joint US-Israeli attack on Iran, which killed the nation's Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, last Saturday (28 February), conflict has spread across the region, with thousands of casualties reported and tens of thousands of people displaced.
Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, the UAE, Israel, Oman, Saudi Arabia and Cyprus are among the nations that have been targeted by Iranian missiles and drones.
Israel and the Iranian-backed Shia militant group Hezbollah have also exchanged fire since the conflict began, resulting in the Israeli authorities urging Lebanese citizens to leave their homes in the south of the country.
The country’s flag will also be removed from the Athlete Parade. Fifty-five NPCs and 611 athletes will still compete at the Games.
Andrew Parsons, IPC President, said: “It is really disappointing for world sport and especially for Aboulfazl that he is unable to travel safely to compete at his third Paralympic Winter Games at Milano Cortina 2026.
“Since the conflict began on Saturday, the IPC and Milano Cortina 2026 Organising Committee have been working tirelessly behind-the-scenes with the NPC and national ski federation to find alternative routes for the safe passage of the Iran delegation to the Games. However, with the conflict ongoing across the Middle East, the risk to human life is too high.
“With communication systems down across much of Iran, dialogue with NPC Iran and the national ski federation has not been easy. We were informed by NPC Iran that safe passage to Milano Cortina 2026 was not possible, and, as a result, they would not be able to come to the Games. To not compete at a Paralympic Winter Games because of factors outside of his control after years of training and dedication is heartbreaking for the athlete and our sympathies are with Aboulfazl at this difficult time.”
The Games will run between 6-15 March.
Topics: Paralympics
Luke Davies