Paralympics-2026 inaugurated in Verona Photo: paralympic.org.
Italian President Sergio Mattarella declared the Games open 12 days after the Winter Olympics ended. During the Paralympics, the Olympic flame burns simultaneously in two places – near the Peace Arch in Milan and in Piazza Dibona in Cortina d’Ampezzo.
Boycott of the opening ceremony
Delegations from a number of countries have announced a boycott of the opening ceremony due to protests against the admission to the Paralympics of representatives from Russia and Belarus, who are allowed to perform under the flag and anthem. Representatives of Ukraine, Poland, the Czech Republic, Finland and the Baltic States did not take part in the Paralympic parade.
Russian Paralympians took part in the parade for the first time since 2014. The Russian flag was carried by a representative of a group of volunteers from Italy.
Without Moldovan Paralympians
About 700 athletes with physical and mental disabilities take part in the Paralympics, playing for 79 sets of medals in six disciplines – biathlon, alpine skiing, wheelchair curling, cross-country skiing, sledge hockey and snowboarding.
Paralympians from about 50 countries are competing for medals, among which Moldova is not one.
