VERONA, Italy (AP) — The Paralympic Winter Games Milan Cortina opened on friday amid the tensions of intensification of the war in the Middle East and with some countries boycotting the opening ceremony due to the return of the Russian flag to the global sports stage.
The Russian flag made its return during the parade of nations, marking the first time it has been raised at the Paralympic Games since the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi, and marking a possible full-fledged return to Olympic circles ahead of the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles.
There were some boos as the Russian athletes took the stage during the parade. Four members of the delegation represented the country in a bright red uniform. They waved to the crowd as they paraded through the old Arena di Verona, which was retrofitted with new wheelchair ramps and accessible toilets, along with other safety improvements.
Russia’s national anthem could be played for gold medalists on the stage of a major global sporting event for the first time since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Russian athletes were initially banned due to a state-sponsored doping program, and sanctions continued after the invasion.
There was applause when Ukraine was announced, but none of the athletes were seen as the country continued its boycott of the ceremony. According to the International Paralympic Committee, six other countries planned not to attend for political reasons: the Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Poland and Lithuania.
Also back was the flag of Russia’s close ally Belarus, with two athletes taking part in the parade in front of a nearly full Verona Arena.
The Iranian flag was absent because the only athlete scheduled to compete for the country, para-cross-country skier Aboulfazl Khatibi, had to withdraw just hours before the opening ceremony, after being unable to reach Italy safely amid the growing conflict in the Middle East that began with US and Israeli attacks on Iran.
“Four years ago I said I was shocked by what was happening in the world,” said IPC President Andrew Parsons. “Unfortunately, the situation has not improved. In a world where some countries are better known by the names of their leaders, I prefer to know countries by the names of their athletes. Sport offers the world a different way forward, a different perspective.”
Only about 45 athletes – out of more than 600 participants – represented their country during the ceremony. With the Games being one of the most widely distributed ever, with competitions and venues in different clusters across Italy, many athletes were unable to attend.
Americans Laurie Stephens, a para-alpine skier, and Josh Pauls, a para-ice hockey athlete, represented the United States in the parade.
Each country announced its flag bearers, but volunteers were tasked with actually carrying the flags for all countries as not all flag bearers could attend the ceremony due to logistical and training issues. Many would start competing early Saturday morning.
During the parade, videos were shown showing the other athletes at their competition locations.
Italian fencing champion Bebe Vio carried the Paralympic flame into the arena, while compatriot and wheelchair athlete Francesca Porcellato lit it the boiler in Cortina d’Ampezzo.
Italian partially sighted alpine skier Gianmaria Dal Maistro lit the cauldron in Milan.
Among the performers at the ceremony at the Arena di Verona – the first UNESCO World Heritage site to host a Paralympic ceremony – were Stewart Copeland, the famous police drummer, and DJ Miky Bionic, known as the world’s first DJ to play with a bionic arm.
The Milan Cortina Games on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Paralympic Winter Games. Athletes will compete in 79 events across six sports. It’s the largest Paralympic Winter Games ever, with record female participation, according to the IPC. The curling events started on Wednesday.
Azzoni reported from Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. AP sports writer Daniella Matar in Milan contributed to this report.
