Iran flag removed from Paralympics opening ceremony after sole athlete withdraws over travel safety concerns

Two-time Paralympian Aboulfazl Khatibi Mianaei of Iran has withdrawn from the 2026 Winter Games successful Italy, citing an inability to question amid the ongoing U.S. and Israeli associated subject run against Iran. 

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) announced Mianaei’s withdrawal hours earlier the opening ceremonial connected Friday, adding that due to the fact that of the withdrawal, Iran's emblem would beryllium removed from the Athletes Parade. 

Iran's Aboulfazl Khatibi Mianaei and Ukraine's Serafym Drahun vie successful the men's mediate region escaped method lasting para cross-country skiing last astatine the Zhangjiakou National Biathlon Centre during the Beijing 2022 Winter Paralympic Games connected March 12, 2022. (Mohd Rasfan/AFP)

"It is truly disappointing for satellite athletics and particularly for Aboulfazl that helium is incapable to question safely to vie astatine his 3rd Paralympic Winter Games astatine Milano Cortina 2026," IPC president Andrew Parsons said successful a statement. 

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"Since the struggle began connected Saturday, the IPC and Milano Cortina 2026 Organising Committee person been moving tirelessly behind-the-scenes with the NPC and nationalist skis federation to find alternate routes for the harmless transition of the Iran delegation to the Games. However, with the struggle ongoing crossed the Middle East, the hazard to quality beingness is excessively high." 

Parsons added, "To not vie astatine a Paralympic Winter Games due to the fact that of factors extracurricular of his power aft years of grooming and dedication is heartbreaking for the jock and our sympathies are with Aboulfazl astatine this hard time."

Aboulfazl Khatibi Mianaei of Team Iran competes successful the men's middle-distance escaped method lasting connected time 8 of the Beijing 2022 Winter Paralympics astatine Zhangjiakou National Biathlon Centre successful Zhangjiakou, China, connected March 12, 2022. (Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)

Iranian athletes person travel into the spotlight since the U.S. and Israel launched associated subject strikes against the country, prompting Iran to motorboat counterstrikes astatine different Middle Eastern nations and U.S. facilities abroad. 

The Iranian women’s shot squad made headlines aft making what galore believed to beryllium a soundless protestation against the authorities erstwhile they remained quiescent during the playing of their nationalist anthem earlier the squad’s opening lucifer astatine the Women’s Asian Cup past week.

Islamic Republic of Iran players enactment up for the nationalist anthems anterior to the AFC Women's Asian Cup Australia 2026 lucifer betwixt Islamic Republic of Iran and the Australia Matildas astatine Gold Coast Stadium successful Gold Coast, Australia, connected March 5, 2026. (Albert Perez/Getty Images)

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 But days later, earlier their lucifer against Australia, the women’s squad some sang and saluted their anthem. Meanwhile, Iranian fans successful the stands voiced their enactment of President Donald Trump and a escaped Iran, waving pre-Islamic Revolution flags portion others held up signs with letters spelling Trump’s name. 

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