7 March 2026 02:45 GMT+5304 min read
‘Life in Motion’ was the theme of the Opening Ceremony of the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games on Friday (6 March).
Just like the Olympic Closing Ceremony 12 days ago, the Verona Arena transformed into the epicentre of the celebrations to open the Winter Paralympics, 50 years since the first edition of the Winter Games.
The Winter Paralympics take place from 6-15 March in Milano, Cortina D’Ampezzo and Val di Fiemme, the three clusters that will host a combined 79 medal events in six sports.
“Today, Italy once again stands at the heart of Paralympic history as we celebrate 50 years of the Paralympic Winter Games,” said Andrew Parsons, President of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC).
“From 1976 to 2026, these Paralympic Winter Games will honour our past, celebrate our present and shape a more inclusive future. And we need that future now more than ever. Four years ago, I said I was horrified at what was happening in the world. Unfortunately, the situation has not improved.
“In a world where some countries are better known by the names of their leaders, I prefer to know countries by the names of their athletes. Sport offers the world another way forward, another perspective.”
Italy’s six-time Paralympic fencing medallist Bebe Vio brought the Paralympic flame into the Verona Arena, while the flame was relit in the Milano Cortina cauldrons by 15-time Paralympic multisport medallist Francesca Porcellato in Milano, and Torino 2006 Paralympic Para Alpine skiing champion Gianmaria Dal Maistro in Cortina D’Ampezzo.
READ MORE: https://www.olympics.com/en/milano-cortina-2026/paralympic-games/news/milano-cortina-2026-opening-ceremony-verona-arena-winter-paralympics
