Russian flag met largely by silence at opening ceremony of Winter Paralympics

"With as many as half the 56 competing countries choosing not to send athletes to the ceremony, some in protest, others in preparation for the Games, the athletes' procession was less joyous than is customary and all flags were carried by local volunteers. Each country was welcomed on to the stage warmly, however, but when four Russian athletes emerged there was noise only from the Russian delegation who cheered and waved flags."

"Since the assembly of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) voted to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to return to competition last year, controversy around these Games has been inevitable. Earlier in the day, however, the president of the IPC, Andrew Parsons, was forced to acknowledge the impact of another global conflict, as the assault on Iran by the US and Israel had left the country's solitary winter Paralympian, cross-country skier Aboulfazl Khatibi Mianaei, unable to safely leave his country."

The Winter Paralympic Games opened in Verona with a ceremonial celebration of the Paralympic movement and accessibility for people with disabilities. Russian athletes returned to international competition for the first time since the Ukraine invasion, marking a controversial moment as the International Paralympic Committee had voted to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete. The Russian delegation received minimal applause during the opening ceremony, contrasting sharply with the loud applause for Ukrainian athletes. The event faced additional complications when Iran's sole winter Paralympian could not safely leave his country due to regional conflict. The IPC president attempted to avoid political statements during the ceremony, departing from previous Games where he had called for peace.

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