03/06/26 08:27:00
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03/06 08:26 CST Iran won't compete at Milan Cortina Paralympics as its only
athlete can't travel safely to Italy
Iran won't compete at Milan Cortina Paralympics as its only athlete can't
travel safely to Italy
CORTINA D'AMPEZZO, Italy (AP) --- Iran will not participate in the Milan
Cortina Paralympics because its only athlete set to compete can't safely travel
to Italy amid the intensifying Middle East conflict, the International
Paralympic Committee said Friday.
The announcement that Aboulfazl Khatibi won't compete came just hours ahead of
the opening ceremony in Verona. The Games are beginning less than a week since
the United States and Israel launched a military attack against Iran.
"Due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, the Pyeongchang 2018 and
Beijing 2022 Paralympian cannot travel safely to Italy," the IPC said.
Khatibi was set to compete in two Para cross-country events beginning next
week. He had been announced as Iran's flagbearer but was not going to actually
carry the flag --- volunteers will be handed the task for all nations because
not all flagbearers will be able to attend the ceremony for logistics and
training issues.
The IPC said Iran's flag was removed from the nations' parade at the opening
ceremony on Friday.
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AP Winter Paralympics: https://apnews.com/hub/paralympic-games
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