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Two-time Paralympian Aboulfazl Khatibi Mianaei of Iran has withdrawn from the 2026 Winter Games in Italy, citing an inability to travel amid the ongoing joint US-Israeli military campaign against Iran.
The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) announced Mianaei’s withdrawal hours before Friday’s opening ceremony, adding that due to the withdrawal, Iran’s flag would be removed from the Athletes’ Parade.
Aboulfazl Khatibi Mianaei of Iran and Serafym Drahun of Ukraine compete in the men’s cross-country skiing middle distance free technique final at the Zhangjiakou National Biathlon Center during the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games on March 12, 2022. (Mohd Rasfan/AFP)
“It is truly disappointing for global sport and especially 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 conflict began on Saturday, the IPC and the Milano Cortina 2026 Organizing Committee have been working tirelessly behind the scenes with the NPC 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 across the Middle East, the risk to human life is too high.”
Parsons added: “Not competing at a Paralympic Winter Games due to factors beyond their control after years of training and dedication is heartbreaking for the athlete and our solidarity goes out to Aboulfazl at this difficult time.”
Aboulfazl Khatibi Mianaei of Team Iran competes in the men’s middle distance standing 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 thrust into the spotlight since the United States and Israel launched joint military strikes against the country, prompting Iran to launch counterattacks against other Middle Eastern nations and American facilities abroad.
Iranian women soccer The team made headlines after staging what many believed was a silent protest against the regime when they remained silent during the performance of their national anthem before the team’s opening match in the Women’s Asian Cup last week.
Islamic Republic of Iran’s players line up for the national anthems before the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026 match between Islamic Republic of Iran and Australian Matildas at Gold Coast Stadium in Gold Coast, Australia on March 5, 2026. (Albert Pérez/Getty Images)
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But days later, before the game against Australia, the women’s team sang and saluted their anthem. Meanwhile, Iranian fans in the stands expressed their support for President Donald Trump and a free Iran, waving pre-Islamic Revolution flags while others held signs with letters spelling out Trump’s name.
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