Russian flag returns as Milano-Cortina Paralympics open amid Middle East war and boycotts

The Milano-Cortina Winter Paralympics officially opened Friday amid the tensions of war in the Middle East, and with some countries boycotting the opening ceremony because of the return of the Russian flag to the global sports stage.

The Russian flag made its return during the nations' parade, marking the first time it was flown at the Paralympics since the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi, and signalling a possible full-fledged return to the Olympic circles ahead of the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles.

Some boos were heard as the Russian athletes entered the stage during the parade. Four members of the delegation represented the country wearing a bright-red uniform. They waved to the crowd as they paraded at the ancient Arena di Verona that was retrofitted with new wheelchair ramps and accessible restrooms along with other safety upgrades.

Russia's national anthem could be played for gold medallists for the first time on the stage of a major global sporting event since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Russian athletes were initially banned because of a state-sponsored doping program, and the sanctions had continued after the invasion.

There was applause when Ukraine was announced, but none of its athletes were seen as the country went through with its boycott of the ceremony. Six other nations had planned to not attend for political reasons, according to the International Paralympic Committee (IPC): Czechia, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Poland and Lithuania.

Also back was the flag of Russia's close ally Belarus, which had two athletes participating in the parade in front of a virtually full Arena di Verona.

Iran's flag was absent because the only athlete set to compete for the nation, Para cross-country skier Aboulfazl Khatibi, had to withdraw just hours before the opening ceremony after he could not make it to Italy safely amid the intensifying Middle East conflict.

"Four years ago I said I was horrified at what was happening in the world," IPC president Andrew Parsons said. "Unfortunately, the situation has not improved. In a world where some countries are better known by the names of their leaders. I prefer to know countries by the names of their athletes. Sport offers the world another way forward, another perspective."

Only about 45 athletes — of the more than 600 competing — represented their nations at the ceremony. Because the Games are one of the most widespread ever, with competitions and venues in different clusters around Italy, many athletes were not able to attend.

Each nation announced their flag-bearers, but volunteers were handed the task of actually carrying the flags for all nations because not all flag-bearers could attend the ceremony for logistics and training issues. Many would start competing early on Saturday morning.

Canadians Natalie Wilkie, a Para nordic skier, and Tyler McGregor, a Para hockey player, carried Canadian flags inside their villages.

The Canadian Paralympic Committee said last Friday that Canada would not have athletes in attendance in Verona, but that the decision was not related to the reported boycott. With competitions beginning the following day in other clusters, the CPC said athletes would remain in their respective athlete villages to prepare rather than travel to Verona.

During the parade, videos were shown with the other athletes at their competition locations.

Italian fencing champion Bebe Vio carried the Paralympic flame into the arena, while compatriot and wheelchair athlete Francesca Porcellato lit the cauldron in Cortina d'Ampezzo.