The Winter Paralympics opening ceremony in Verona aimed to celebrate inclusion, but the absence of several nations overshadowed the spectacle. The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) allowed Russia and Belarus to compete under their flags for the first time since 2014, prompting seven countries to boycott the ceremony.
Ukraine, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland did not attend in protest of Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine. Great Britain also declined to send officials to the opening or closing ceremonies. IPC President Andrew Parsons declared the Games free from politics, but critics noted the contradiction.
The ceremony itself featured performances highlighting disability and accessibility, set in the ancient Arena di Verona. Organisers made the venue fully accessible without permanent damage, aiming to set an example. However, many athletes could not attend due to competition schedules, and the absence of Iran’s sole athlete due to unsafe travel conditions underscored ongoing global barriers.
