Mumbai, March 2 – With just four days remaining for the opening ceremony of the 2026 Paralympic Winter Games in Milano Cortina, Italy, the conflict in the Middle East threatens to disrupt the quadrennial event due to its impact on air travel through the region, as many teams have yet to reach Europe.
Given that many teams are expected to transit through major Middle Eastern hubs like Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Doha, the conflict is anticipated to disrupt their travel plans. The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has stated that it is closely monitoring the situation arising from the crisis.
"The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) is closely monitoring the situation of missile strikes in the Middle East and is continuing to collect, confirm, and assess the available information to determine the impact on the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games and the wider Paralympic Movement.
"We recognize that this situation affects not only the National Paralympic Committees (NPCs) competing in the Games but also our wider membership. We prioritize the well-being of people, and our thoughts are with those affected," the IPC said in a statement on Monday.
"Regarding the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games, we are assessing the impact on Games operations, particularly on travel, while maintaining a clear focus on delivering the best Paralympic Winter Games and ensuring that the event continues to serve as a platform for social inclusion for the world's 1.3 billion people with disabilities," the IPC stated.
The IPC, based in Bonn, said it is in contact with delegations and working with the organizing committee to find solutions for those affected, noting that some teams may experience delays in reaching Italy for the event.
"We are in close contact with all delegations competing in the Games as well as other stakeholders. Many teams are already in Europe, attending training or holding camps, but the closure of airspace in the Middle East is impacting the arrival of some stakeholders. We prefer not to comment on the status of individual delegations or stakeholders at this stage, but can assure that we are working diligently with Milano Cortina 2026 to find solutions for those affected," the statement said.
The IPC also promised to deliver "safe, secure, and spectacular Games" despite the disruption caused by the crisis.
"The Paralympic Games are the pinnacle event of the Paralympic Movement, and our top priority is to ensure that Paralympians take center stage as we deliver safe, secure, and spectacular Games in Italy's awe-inspiring venues," said the IPC.
