Winter Paralympics 2026: Russia and Belarus athletes parade behind national flags in opening ceremony

The opening ceremony took place in the Arena di Verona, a 2000-year-old amphitheater and Unesco world heritage site, although no competitions were held in the city.

More than 660 athletes from 56 countries will take part in six sports at the Games, which run until March 15, and Great Britain will send a team of 25 to compete.

No GB athletes attended Friday’s ceremony, for logistical rather than political reasons, with most of the team competing in the Dolomites on Saturday morning.

In total, only 28 of the 55 countries competing in Milan-Cortina had athletes marching in person during the parade.

For those who were not there and were not protesting, pre-recorded videos of the flag bearers and their teammates were played, accompanied by loud music by Italian house artists Meduza.

The ceremony paid tribute to Verona’s reputation as the City of Love, thanks to the setting of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet in the city, and concluded with the simultaneous lighting of two Paralympic cauldrons in Milan and Cortina.

“Paralympians are ready to redefine the possibilities, push the boundaries of human ability and show what people can achieve when respected and given the chance to succeed,” Parsons said.

“In the coming days, a record number of athletes and countries will showcase the best of Paralympic winter sport. With their extraordinary sporting performances, Paralympic athletes will remind the world that disability is not a limitation in itself, but an incredible dimension of human diversity.”

“Paralympic performances will change attitudes and inspire people everywhere – those in venues or watching at home, those dreaming of their own futures and those who have yet to discover the power of sport.”