Iran Will Not Compete at Milan Cortina Paralympics Amid Middle East Conflict

Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy – Iran will not participate in the Milan Cortina Winter Paralympics due to safety concerns preventing its sole athlete from traveling to Italy, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) announced Friday.

The decision comes less than a week after the United States and Israel initiated military attacks against Iran, creating significant travel disruptions in the region. Aboulfazl Khatibi, Iran’s designated flagbearer and only athlete scheduled to compete in two Para cross-country events, is unable to travel safely to Italy as a result of the ongoing conflict. Click Orlando, AP News

While Khatibi was named as Iran’s flagbearer, the IPC stated that volunteers will carry the flags of all nations during the opening ceremony due to logistical and training constraints affecting flagbearer attendance.

Iran’s flag has been removed from the nations’ parade at the opening ceremony in Verona, which is set to take place later on Friday. The Milan Cortina Winter Paralympics officially begin amid broader tensions surrounding the war in the Middle East and a boycott of the opening ceremony by some countries protesting the return of the Russian flag to the global sports stage. Los Angeles Times

The Games mark the 50th anniversary of the Winter Paralympics.