"Due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, the Pyeongchang 2018 and Beijing 2022 Paralympian cannot travel safely to Italy, the IPC said. Khatibi was set to compete in two Para cross-country events beginning next week. He had been announced as Iran's flagbearer but was not going to actually carry the flag."
"Iran will not participate in the Milan Cortina Paralympics because its only athlete set to compete can't safely travel to Italy amid the intensifying Middle East conflict, the International Paralympic Committee said Friday. The announcement that Aboulfazl Khatibi won't compete came just hours ahead of the opening ceremony in Verona."
Iran will not participate in the Milan Cortina Paralympics as its sole competitor, Aboulfazl Khatibi, cannot safely travel to Italy due to escalating Middle East tensions. The withdrawal announcement occurred hours before the opening ceremony in Verona, less than a week after US and Israeli military operations against Iran. Khatibi, a two-time Paralympian from previous Winter Games, was scheduled to compete in two Para cross-country skiing events and serve as Iran's flagbearer. The International Paralympic Committee removed Iran's flag from the opening ceremony nations' parade. Volunteer flagbearers replaced individual athletes for all nations due to logistics and training constraints.
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