sports
March 4, 2026
2026 Winter Paralympics: Volunteers Replace Athletes, No One Will Carry Their Country's Flag
At the opening ceremony of the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympics, to be held on Friday in Verona, no athlete will carry their country's flag, ANSA has learned. Sources from the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) stated that at the ceremony in Verona's ancient Roman Arena, athletes will be replaced by volunteers, while pre-recorded footage of flag bearers will be shown during the television broadcast.
TL;DR
- No athletes will carry their country's flag at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympics opening ceremony.
- Volunteers will replace athletes as flag bearers during the ceremony.
- Pre-recorded footage of flag bearers will be shown during the television broadcast.
- Ukraine and seven other nations had previously announced a boycott in protest of Russian and Belarusian athletes being allowed to compete under national flags.
- The IPC is assessing the impact of the situation in the Middle East on participant travel and the organization of the Games.
- The IPC is collaborating with organizers to find solutions for delegations affected by travel disruptions.
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