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Two-time Paralympian Aboulfazl Khatibi Mianaei of Iran has pulled out of the 2026 Winter Games in Italy due to an inability to travel amid the ongoing US-Israeli joint military campaign against Iran.
The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) announced Mianaei’s withdrawal hours before the opening ceremony on Friday, adding that because of the withdrawal, Iran’s flag would be removed from the athletes’ parade.
Iran’s Aboulfazl Khatibi Mianaei and Ukraine’s Serafym Drahun compete in the men’s middle distance free technique standing para cross country 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 world sport and particularly for Aboulfazl that he is unable to travel safely to compete at his third Paralympic Winter Games in 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 worked tirelessly behind the scenes with the NPC and the National Ski Federation to find alternative routes for the safe passage of Iran’s delegation to the Games. However, with the conflict continuing throughout the Middle East, the risk to human life is too high.”
Parsons added: “To not compete at a 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 free middle distance technique standing on day eight of the Beijing 2022 Winter Paralympics at the Zhangjiakou National Biathlon Center in Zhangjiakou, China, March 12, 2022. (Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)
Iranian athletes have come under 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.
The Iranian women’s soccer team made headlines after making what many believed was a silent protest against the regime when they remained silent during the playing of their national anthem before the team’s opening match at the Women’s Asian Cup last week.
Islamic Republic of Iran players line up for the national anthems ahead of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026 match between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Australia Matildas at Gold Coast Stadium in Gold Coast, Australia on March 5, 2026. (Albert Perez/Getty Images)
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But days later, before their match against Australia, the women’s team both sang and saluted their anthem. Meanwhile, Iranian fans in the stands showed their support for President Donald Trump and a free Iran, waving pre-Islamic revolution flags, while others held up signs with letters spelling out Trump’s name.
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