The Games of the XIVth Winter Paralympiad have opened in the historic Arena di Verona in northern Italy with the message that peace is at the very heart of the Paralympic and Olympic movements.

In the shadows of the Middle East conflict and within the archways of the ancient Verona Colosseum, built in 30AD or nearly 2,000 years ago, President of the Organising Committee for the 2026 Milano-Cortina Olympics and Paralympics, Giovanni Malago, acknowledged the Games were taking place at a time of great upheaval.

“Of course, we cannot ignore that these Games take place in a deeply divided world – torn apart by wars, grief and suffering – at one of the most dramatic turning points of our time,” Malao said.     

“For this very reason, the message of peace, inclusion and solidarity at the heart of the Olympic and Paralympic Movements is more meaningful and more important than ever.”

International Paralympic Committee President Andrew Parsons continued the theme of letting sport work its wonders.

“Sport offers the world, another way forward, another perspective,” Parsons said. 

“Here at Milano-Cortina 2026, these brotherly Games offer something truly different. 

“Here, differences are not reason for separation, but sources of strength. Here, nations gather as neighbours, and athletes compete not only with ferocity and fairness, but united in respect for one another and for the rules of the sport. 

“The Athletes Village is the living model of what society can and should be – free for politics, it is a place where everyone is welcome; everyone belongs; and everyone is valued. 

“And tonight, in this ancient arena, where Gladiators once fought, we welcome a new generation of heroes.”

The Milano-Cortina Winter Paralympics were the officially opened by Italian President Sergio Mattarella, with a host of sporting and government dignitaries behind him including the Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Kirsty Coventry.

The evening started with the Parade of Nations, where Australia was the fourth to enter the stadium led out by flagbearer and debutant Paralympian, Georgia Gunew, alongside Australia’s Chef de Mission, Ben Troy.

Gunew (Para Alpine) and Ben Tudhope (Para snowboard) were both named as Australia’s flagbearers but for tonight’s ceremony Tudhope remained at the Cortina Athletes’ Village as he has his first events on Saturday morning.

Italy has strong links to the Paralympics. Rome hosted the first Summer Games in 1960, while Cortina-Milano celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Winter Games held in Örnsköldsvik, Sweden, in 1976 and featuring 198 athletes from 16 countries.

Five decades later and 665 athletes from 50 nations have gathered in Italy to compete in 79 medal events across six sports.

Australia will feature in four – alpine, snowboard, biathlon and cross-country – which marks its return to Para Nordic events for the first time in 20 years (2006 Torino Games), which was also the last time Italy hosted the Winter Games.

The Australian team of 14 athletes, including two sighted guides, makes it the second largest since the 2018 PyeongChang Games (15 athletes).

Once the IPC anthem was played and the IPC flag was raised, bearing the logo of the red, blue and green Agitos – signifying mind, body and spirit – then the stage was ready for the crowning moment of any Games: the lighting of the cauldron.

Italian wheelchair fencer and three-time Paralympian Bebe Vio lit a symbolic ‘fire’ in the Verona Stadium while fellow Paralympic champions Gianmaria Dal Maistro (Milano) and Francesca Porcellato (Cortina) ignited the two cauldrons in both cities.

The Games run from March 6-15 with the Closing Ceremony at the Cortina Olympic Stadium.

Margie McDonald, Paralympics Australia

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