The Winter Paralympics are heading to Milán Cortina to celebrate their 50th anniversary. China is looking to extend its dominance as a powerhouse at the event.
The Games officially begin on Friday. Tensions surrounding the war in the Middle East have caused travel difficulties for some nations arriving in Italy due to widespread flight disruptions. Iran had planned to have a skier compete.
Boycotts and Controversies
The wheelchair curling competition began on Wednesday. The sport has already been shaken by another scandal, with two stones stolen from the venue. During the Olympics, the Canadian team faced accusations of cheating.
Ukraine was the first to announce plans to boycott the opening ceremony. This was due to the decision regarding Russia. Seven other nations also planned to abstain for political reasons: the Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Poland, Lithuania, and the Netherlands.
Some nations will not attend the opening ceremony to allow their athletes to rest before competing, not as a form of boycott.
Germany has criticised the decision by the International Paralympic Committee to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to participate in Milán Cortina.
The German delegation stated that the German Paralympic Team will not participate in the Parade of Nations during the opening ceremony in Verona. They said this decision serves to focus on the upcoming competitions and to express solidarity.
Russian Participation and US Delegation
Russian athletes will compete under their own flag at the Paralympic Games for the first time in over a decade. The country’s national anthem could be played for gold medallists, which hasn’t happened at a major global sporting event since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
The Russian flag has not been present at the Paralympics since the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi. The national anthem has not been heard at an Olympics or Paralympics since Rio de Janeiro 2016.
The United States is sending a delegation of 72 members to Italy. This is an increase from the 67 who went to Beijing 2022. The delegation includes Oksana Masters, the most decorated U.S. winter Paralympian, and 16-year-old alpine skier Meg Gustafson.
A Milestone Event
The Paralympic Games return to Italy 20 years after Turin 2006. This will be the 14th edition of the Winter Paralympics since the first in Ornskoldsvik, Sweden, in 1976.
Almost 200 athletes competed in two sports back then. Approximately 660 athletes will participate in the six disciplines in Italy from Friday until 15 March.
It could be the first time the anthem sounds at a major global sporting event in four years.