Russian Flag Returns As Milan Cortina Winter Paralympics Open Amid Iran War And Boycott
VERONA, Italy (AP) — The Milan Cortina Winter Paralympics Opened amid tensions on Friday War intensifies in the Middle East and some countries are boycotting the opening ceremony Return of the Russian flag to the global sports scene.
The Russian flag returned during the parade of nations, flying at the Paralympics for the first time since the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi, signaling a possible full-fledged return to the Olympic circuit ahead of the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles.
During the parade, some booing was heard as Russian athletes took the stage. Four members of the delegation represented the country in bright red uniforms. They waved to the crowd as they paraded through the ancient Arena di Verona, which has been outfitted with new wheelchair ramps and accessible restrooms, among other safety improvements.
Russia’s national anthem could be played on the stage of a major global sporting event for gold medalists in 2022 for the first time since the invasion of Ukraine. Russian athletes were initially banned due to a state-sponsored doping program, and sanctions continued after the invasion.
Applause was heard when Ukraine was announced but no athletes were seen as the country boycotted the ceremony. Six more countries had planned not to participate for political reasons, according to the International Paralympic Committee: the Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Poland and Lithuania.
Also at the back was the flag of Russia’s close ally Belarus, where two athletes participated in the parade in front of the nearly packed Arena di Verona.
There was no Iranian flag because Para cross-country skier Aboulfazl Khatibi, the only athlete to compete for the country. I had to retreat Just hours before the opening ceremony after he was unable to reach Italy safely amid the intensifying Middle East conflict that began with the US and Israel attacking Iran.
“Four years ago I said I was appalled by what was happening in the world,” said IPC president Andrew Parsons. “Unfortunately, the situation has not improved. In a world where the leaders of some countries are better known by their names, I prefer to know the countries by the names of their athletes. Sports offers another way, another perspective on the world.”
Out of more than 600 athletes competing at the ceremony, only about 45 athletes represented their countries. Due to the fact that the games were one of the most widespread ever, and the competitions and venues were in different clusters of Italy, many athletes were not able to participate.
The United States was represented at the parade by Para alpine skier Laurie Stephens and Para ice hockey athlete Josh Pauls.
Each country announced its own flag carriers, but since not all flag carriers could attend the ceremony due to logistical and training problems, the task of carrying the flags of all nations was actually given to volunteers. Many of them would start racing early on Saturday morning.
During the parade, videos were shown at the competition venues with other athletes.
While Italian fencing champion Bebe Vio carried the Paralympic torch to the arena, her compatriot and wheelchair athlete Francesca Porcellato also lit it. boiler In Cortina d’Ampezzo.
Italian visually impaired alpine skier Gianmaria Dal Maistro lit the cauldron in Milan.
At the ceremony held at Arena di Verona, the first UNESCO World Heritage site to host the Paralympic ceremony, Police’s famous drummer Stewart Copeland and DJ Miky Bionic, known as the first DJ in the world to play with a bionic arm, also took the stage.
Milan Cortina Games We are celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Winter Paralympic Games. Athletes will compete in 79 events across six sports. This Biggest Winter Paralympics With a record number of women participating so far, according to the IPC. Curling events started on Wednesday.
Azzoni reported from Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. AP Sports Writer Daniella Matar in Milan contributed to this report.
