03/06/26 08:57:00
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03/06 08:55 CST Iran won't compete at Milan Cortina Paralympics as its only
athlete can't travel safely to Italy
Iran won't compete at Milan Cortina Paralympics as its only athlete can't
travel safely to Italy
By TALES AZZONI
AP Sports Writer
CORTINA D'AMPEZZO, Italy (AP) --- 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. The Games are beginning less than a week since
the United States and Israel launched a military attack against Iran.
The IPC said that "due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, the
Pyeongchang 2018 and Beijing 2022 Paralympian cannot travel safely to Italy."
IPC president Andrew Parsons said Paralympic organizers had been "working
tirelessly behind the scenes" with the Iranian National Paralympic Committee to
"find alternative routes for the safe passage of the Iran delegation to the
Games." He said, however, that "with the conflict ongoing across the Middle
East, the risk to human life is too high."
Parsons said dialogue with the Iranian Paralympic Committee was not easy
because communication systems were down across much of the nation.
"We were informed by NPC Iran that safe passage to Milano Cortina 2026 was not
possible, and, as a result, they would not be able to come to the Games,"
Parsons said. "To not compete at a Paralympic Winter Games because of factors
outside of his control after years of training and dedication is heartbreaking
for the athlete and our sympathies are with Aboulfazl at this difficult time."
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 --- volunteers will be handed the task for all nations because
not all flagbearers will be able to attend the ceremony for logistics and
training issues.
The IPC said Iran's flag was removed from the nations' parade at the opening
ceremony on Friday.
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AP Winter Paralympics: https://apnews.com/hub/paralympic-games
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