Aboulfazl Khatibi Mianaei, a two-time Paralympian from Iran competing in para cross-country skiing in the standing classification, has reportedly withdrawn from the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympics.[1]

The report from Fox News Digital states that the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) announced the withdrawal hours before the opening ceremony on Friday, March 6, 2026, and that Iran's flag would consequently be removed from the Athletes Parade. The athlete cited an inability to travel amid ongoing Middle East conflict, according to the report.[1]

No confirmation of the withdrawal or flag decision was available on the IPC website or the Milano Cortina 2026 organising committee site as of the latest checks.

Khatibi Mianaei, who turns 30 in 2026, made his Paralympic debut at the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Games, competing in four cross-country skiing events in the LW5/7 standing class.[2][3] He returned at Beijing 2022, where he placed seventh in the men's sprint classic technique standing and sixth in the men's middle distance free technique standing final on March 12, 2022, at the Zhangjiakou National Biathlon Centre.[2][4]

The Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympics are scheduled for March 6-15, 2026, in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, marking the first time Italy hosts the Winter Paralympics.[5][6] The opening ceremony is set for March 6 in Milan.[5][6]

IPC President Andrew Parsons was quoted in the report expressing disappointment over the athlete's situation.[1] The IPC and organising committee reportedly explored alternative travel routes with Iran's National Paralympic Committee and ski federation since late February 2026.

Sources

1. Fox News Digital, "Two-time Paralympian Aboulfazl Khatibi Mianaei of Iran has withdrawn from the 2026 Winter Games in Italy", March 6, 2026, https://www.foxnews.com/sports
2. International Paralympic Committee, "Aboulfazl KHATIBI", accessed October 2024, https://www.paralympic.org/Aboulfazl-KHATIBI
3. International Paralympic Committee, "PyeongChang 2018 Results - Cross-Country Skiing", 2018, https://www.paralympic.org/pyeongchang-2018/results/cross-country-skiing
4. International Paralympic Committee, "Beijing 2022 Results - Cross-Country Skiing Men's Middle Distance Free Technique Standing LW5/7", March 2022, https://www.paralympic.org/beijing-2022/results/cross-country-skiing/lw5-7-m-12km-middle-free-tech
5. Milano Cortina 2026 Organising Committee, "Paralympic Winter Games", accessed October 2024, https://www.milanocortina2026.org/en/paralympics