The Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympics launched with an opening ceremony at Verona's Arena di Verona on March 6, featuring the return of the Russian flag after years of bans, boycotts by several nations, and celebrations of the Games' 50th anniversary amid global tensions. IPC president Andrew Parsons addressed ongoing conflicts as record participation and preliminary events kicked off.
The opening ceremony for the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympics took place at the historic Arena di Verona on March 6, marking the first time the Russian flag appeared since the 2014 Sochi Games, following bans over doping and the 2022 Ukraine invasion. Four Russian athletes in red uniforms entered to some boos but waved to the crowd; Belarus followed with two athletes. Russia's anthem may now play for gold medalists.
Boycotts materialized as anticipated: Ukraine sent no athletes despite applause for its announcement, joined by the Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Poland, Lithuania, and Iran (whose skier withdrew due to Middle East conflicts). Only about 45 of over 600 athletes attended, with competitions across Italy.
Italian stars Bebe Vio carried the flame, Francesca Porcellato lit the cauldron in Cortina d'Ampezzo, and Gianmaria Dal Maistro did so in Milan. Performances included drummer Stewart Copeland and DJ Miky Bionic. The first ceremony at a UNESCO site celebrated 50 years of the Games, 79 events in six sports, and record female participation.
IPC president Andrew Parsons spoke on global strife: “Four years ago I said I was horrified at what was happening in the world. Unfortunately, the situation has not improved... Sport offers the world another way forward.”
Wheelchair curling mixed doubles began March 5, with matches like Latvia's Polina Rozkova vs. Great Britain and Italy's Orietta Berto/Paolo Ioriatti vs. China. The Games run to March 15 across Milan, Cortina d'Ampezzo, and other venues.
