Iranian athlete withdraws from Paralympics due to Middle East conflict
Aboulfazl Khatibi Mianaei, Iran’s only Paralympic competitor, has been forced to withdraw from the Milan-Cortina Games because of the ongoing war in the Middle East. The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) said he cannot travel safely to Italy due to the conflict involving Iran, the United States, and Israel. IPC president Andrew Parsons expressed disappointment, calling the situation heartbreaking for the athlete. The IPC and Games organisers tried to find alternative travel routes but ultimately deemed the risk too high.
Match highlights
- Aboulfazl Khatibi Mianaei was set to compete in two cross-country skiing events at the Paralympics in Milan-Cortina.
- The ongoing war between Iran, the United States, and Israel has made it unsafe for him to travel.
- IPC president Andrew Parsons said it is disappointing for world sport and especially for Aboulfazl.
- Iran’s flag will not be included in the athlete parade during the opening ceremony.
- The IPC and organisers worked to find safe passage for the Iranian delegation but concluded the risk to human life was too great.
