Paralympics, Italia's first medals in downhill: Mazzel silver Bertagnolli bronze

Michaela Benthaus, the first paraplegic person to have flown in space - making a suborbital flight with Blue Origin on 20 December 2025 - shuts down the Arena with her story: 'I am an aerospace engineer, and I am the first person in a wheelchair to have flown in space,' she says, 'our dreams may be different, but everyone here wants to be remembered for their achievements and goals.

Brought to you by fencer and Paralympic champion Bebe Vio.

The Arena heats up when President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella officially declares the games open.

"To countries that are known more for the names of their leaders I prefer those known for their athletes". This was said by Andrew Parsons, president of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), in his official speech at the opening ceremony of the Winter Paralympics in Milan Cortina, Verona. "Four years ago," he recalled, "I said I was shocked at what was happening in the world. Today the situation has not changed. But sport offers another perspective. These Games offer something really different, where differences do not divide but are strengths, nations are neighbours and compete fairly,' he concluded, 'respecting the rules of sport.

'We cannot ignore the fact that these Games are taking place at a deeply divided time, torn by wars, pain and suffering, at one of the most dramatic turning points of our time'. This was underlined by the president of the Milan Cortina 2026 Foundation during the opening ceremony of the Winter Paralympics, this evening at the Arena in Verona. 'Precisely for this reason,' Malagò added, 'the message of peace, inclusion and solidarity at the heart of the Paralympic movement is more significant and important than ever.

It is the moment of the Paralympic flag, which comes to life thanks to the figurants. On the stage in the Arena of Verona, the three Agitos - from the Latin, I move - the three half moons that make up the symbol of the Paralympics and represent mind, body and spirit, take shape.

The Veronese public warmed up at the entrance of the Ukrainian flag, although it was not followed by the delegation of athletes (in protest against the Ipc decision to re-admit Russia and Belarus to competitions with the flags of their respective countries).

The athletes from the delegations that decided to attend the opening, 29 out of 55, parade, while the musical group Meduza accompanies the parade with house sounds.

The President of the Republic makes his entrance into the Arena.

. Luca Pancalli, who led the Italian Paralympic Committee for a long time, reminded us today once again how the Paralympics should be spoken of as pure sport, without added adjectives. The fact remains, however, that the war - the wars - are still going on. After the announced boycotts of the past few days, today came the news that Aboulfazl Khatibi Mianaei, an Iranian skier, will not be able to participate in these Games because - given the current international situation - it was not possible to guarantee him safe passage to Italy.

"It is disappointing for world sport, and in particular for Aboulfazl, that he will not be able to travel safely to participate in his third Paralympic Winter Games in Milan Cortina 2026". IPC President Andrew Parsons thus comments on the forfeit of Iranian athlete Aboulfazl Khatibi Mianaei due to the conflict in the Middle East. "We have been working behind the scenes to find alternative routes for the safe passage of the Iranian delegation," he adds. "But with the ongoing conflict, the risk to human life is too high. Not competing for factors outside of your control is heartbreaking for the athlete," Parsons explained.

Only 29 nations out of 55 participants will parade this evening with their athletes at the opening ceremony of the Winter Paralympics in the Arena of Verona. This was announced by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), adding that the various national committees had discussed the matter in August, in order to find a balance between presence and remote connection, given the travel time from the three Paralympic villages to Verona. Other absences are explained by the time proximity to tomorrow's competitions. Seven, again according to the Ipc, the noes for political reasons: Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Ukraine.

The Paralympic hymn resounds as the Arena in Verona prepares for the opening ceremony of the Paralympic Winter Games in Milan Cortina 2026. 'Life in motion' is the theme of the evening, in line with the Paralympic motto: 'Spirit in motion'. A ceremony divided into four parts: Vibes, Spaces, Loves, Together.

President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella has arrived in Verona to attend the opening ceremony of the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympics. Before entering the Arena, venue of the event, he was welcomed by the local authorities in Sala Maffeiana, near Piazza Bra. He was greeted by the President of the Veneto Region, Alberto Stefani, and the Mayor of Verona, Damiano Tommasi. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and the Presidents of the Senate and Chamber of Deputies Lorenzo Fontana and Ignazio Larussa also attended the inauguration.

Manca pochissimo alla cerimonia che darà ufficialmente il via a queste quattordicesime Paralimpiadi invernali. Marco Boarino, il regista dell’evento, ha preannunciato una serata che vuole giocare sul ruolo di Verona come città dell’amore e degli amori per vivere le vibes, le sensazioni che permettono di creare spazi nuovi che non siano «accessibili anche a», ma accessibili punto e basta.