Trending Now - Iran's Flag Removed From Paralympics After Athlete Withdraws

WHO:

Aboulfazl Khatibi Mianaei, two-time Paralympian from Iran

Andrew Parsons, president of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC)

Varvara Voronchikhina, visually impaired Para alpine skier from Russia

Russian athletes, including Filipp Shebbo, Dmitrii Fadeev, and Aleksei Bugaev

Iranian women’s soccer team

President Donald Trump, referenced by Iranian fans

WHAT:

Aboulfazl Khatibi Mianaei withdrew from the 2026 Winter Paralympics due to travel safety concerns.

Iran's flag was removed from the Athletes Parade at the opening ceremony.

Varvara Voronchikhina won a bronze medal in the women's downhill standing competition, marking Russia's first Paralympic medal since 2014.

The Russian flag returned to the Paralympics during the nations parade for the first time since the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi.

The Russian national anthem could be played for gold medalists for the first time since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

WHERE:

2026 Winter Paralympics, Milan Cortina, Italy

Arena di Verona, Italy

Gold Coast Stadium, Gold Coast, Australia

WHEN:

Opening ceremony on March 6, 2026

Varvara Voronchikhina's medal win on March 7, 2026

Iranian women’s soccer match on March 5, 2026

WHY:

Mianaei cited an inability to travel safely amid the ongoing U.S. and Israeli military campaign against Iran.

Russian athletes were previously banned from competing under their own flag due to doping violations and military conflicts.

HOW:

IPC and Milano Cortina 2026 Organising Committee worked to find alternative routes for the safe passage of the Iran delegation.

Russian athletes received wildcard entries from the International Paralympic Committee.

(UPDATED March 8, 2026 08:59 UTC)

At the 2026 Winter Paralympics in Milan Cortina, two-time Paralympian Aboulfazl Khatibi Mianaei withdrew from the competition due to safety concerns related to the ongoing military campaign against Iran, leading to the removal of Iran's flag from the Athletes Parade. Meanwhile, Varvara Voronchikhina made headlines by winning a bronze medal in the women's downhill standing competition, marking Russia's first Paralympic medal since 2014, as the Russian flag returned to the games and the national anthem was played for gold medalists for the first time since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The International Paralympic Committee facilitated the participation of Russian athletes through wildcard entries, while efforts were made to ensure safe travel for the Iranian delegation.