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Iran’s Aboulfazl Khatibi Mianaei, a two-time Paralympic athlete, has withdrawn from the 2026 Winter Games in Italy, citing inability to travel as part of the joint US and Israeli military campaign against Iran.
The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) announced Mianaei’s withdrawal hours before the opening ceremony on Friday, adding that due to the withdrawal, the Iranian flag would be removed from the athletes’ parade.
Aboulfazl Khatibi Mianaei of Iran and Serafym Drahun of Ukraine compete in the men’s standing middle-distance free technique final in para cross-country skiing at the Zhangjiakou National Biathlon Center during the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games, March 12, 2022. (Mohd Rasfan/AFP)
“It is truly disappointing for world sport and in particular for Aboulfazl that he will not be able to travel safely to compete in his third Paralympic Winter Games at Milan Cortina 2026,” IPC President Andrew Parsons said in a statement.
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“Since the start of the conflict on Saturday, the IPC and the Milano Cortina 2026 organizing committee have worked tirelessly behind the scenes with the CNP and the national ski federation to find alternative routes for the safe passage of the Iranian delegation to the Games. However, with the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, the risk to human life is too high.”
Parsons added: “Not competing in the Paralympic Winter Games due to factors beyond his control after years of training and dedication is heartbreaking for the athlete and our sympathies are with Aboulfazl at this difficult time.”
Aboulfazl Khatibi Mianaei of Team Iran competes in the men’s standing middle distance free technique on the eighth day of the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games at the Zhangjiakou National Biathlon Center in Zhangjiakou, China, March 12, 2022. (Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)
Iranian athletes have been in the spotlight since the United States and Israel launched joint military strikes against the country, prompting Iran to launch counterattacks against other Middle Eastern countries and U.S. installations abroad.
Iranian women soccer The team made headlines after making what many thought was a silent protest against the regime when they remained silent during the national anthem before the opening match of the Women’s Asian Cup last week.
Players of the Islamic Republic of Iran line up for the national anthems before the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026 match between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Australia Matildas at the Gold Coast Stadium in Gold Coast, Australia on March 5, 2026. (Albert Pérez/Getty Images)
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But a few days later, before their match against Australia, the women’s team sang and saluted their anthem. Meanwhile, Iranian fans in the stands voiced their support for President Donald Trump and a free Iran, waving flags dating back to before the Islamic Revolution while others held signs with letters spelling out Trump’s name.
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