IPC says lone Iranian athlete will not compete at Paralympics due to unsafe travel conditions

The International Paralympic Committee said Friday that Iranian athlete Aboulfazl Khatibi will not compete at the Milan Cortina Paralympic Games because he can't safely travel to Italy amid the intensifying Middle East conflict.

The announcement came just hours ahead of the opening ceremony in Verona.

Khatibi is a cross-country skier and was the only athlete from Iran set to participate in the Games that are beginning less than a week since the United States and Israel launched a military attack against Iran.

Khatibi is a two-time Paralympian, having competed in the 2018 and 2022 Winter Games.

“It is really disappointing for world sport and especially for Aboulfazl that he is unable to travel safely to compete at his third Paralympic Winter Games at Milano Cortina 2026," IPC president Andrew Parsons said.

“Since the conflict began on Saturday, the IPC and Milano Cortina 2026 Organising Committee have been working tirelessly behind-the-scenes with the NPC and national ski federation to find alternative routes for the safe passage of the Iran delegation to the Games. However, with the conflict ongoing across the Middle East, the risk to human life is too high."

Due to NPC Iran’s non-participation, IPC says the country’s flag has been removed from the Athlete Parade for Friday's opening ceremony at the Arena di Verona.

More to come.