Italian
In the stunning setting of the Arena di Verona, the Winter Paralympic Games of Milan Cortina 2026 have opened. The first edition without a flag bearer. The athlete from Mogliano, Bebe Vio, carries the torch, while Francesca Porcellato from Treviso lights the cauldron.
VERONA – We still have in our eyes the wonderful Closing Ceremony of the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games, Beauty in action. And here, just eleven days later, the iconic doors of the Arena di Verona reopen for the Opening Ceremony of the Paralympic Games, Spirit in Motion.
But the world in this very short span of days has changed significantly. If the decision of the CIO (unlike the Olympic Games) to readmit Russia and Belarus with their own flags had already outraged some delegations, the recent attacks in Iran have made matters worse. Knowing that some Nations would not present their flag bearers at the Ceremony in protest (even simply using the excuse that they had distant events the next day), the Olympic Committee decided not to have any flag bearers parade.
It was done by volunteers, with some representatives of the Nation or with connections from Cortina, Milano, and Tesero, where the athletes are in training. Some delegations were framed, others were not. Yet it was a Ceremony full of joy, but above all of hope.
“Be agents of change. Barriers are meant to be broken down” said the President of the Milan Cortina Committee Giovanni Malagò in his speech. Limits are meant to be surpassed. We have clearly seen this in the stories of some athletes over the years, but especially in this Ceremony.
If a person in a wheelchair can dance in the air, or go into space, why can’t each of us try to change this world in our own small way? I hope that the stage in these ten days is solely about the athletes and their achievements. And that it serves as a symbol of how sport can transcend every political, ideological, economic, or other boundary.
In the recent Olympics, we had many memorable moments, from the two athletes who finished second kneeling at the feet of Federica Brignone who returned from a terrible injury and won the gold medal, to the Mexican Regina Martinez Lorenzo who came in last with an eleven-minute delay and was awaited by the winners who embraced her.
This ceremony leaves many moments in our eyes, from the presence of Stewart Copeland (legendary drummer of the Police), to the reference to Romeo and Juliet, the emblem of Verona and love in the world, up to the wonderful poem by Emilio Isgrò:
“All rivers lead to the word Love. All gazes lead to the word Love. All victories lead to the word Love. All defeats lead to the word Love. All dreams lead to the word Love. All seas lead to the word Love. All trees lead to the word Love. All mountains lead to the word Love. All illusions lead to the word Love. All clouds lead to the word Love. All wars erase the word Love. Only Love erases fear. Only Love erases war“.
To then reach the iconic moment of the entrance of the Olympic Torch into the Arena carried (of course) by the most famous Paralympic athlete in the world, the athlete from Mogliano Bebe Vio.
And finally the lighting, Gianmaria Dal Maistro at the Arco della Pace in Milano, and the Rossa Volante, the Treviso native Francesca Porcellato in Cortina. The astronaut Sophie Adenot, from the International Space Station, greets from orbit, then follows the speech of the engineer cosmonaut Michaela Benthaus, the first person in a wheelchair to go to space.
In the end, only Volare remains. Undoubtedly the most famous Italian song in the world. Sung by all the performers present that evening, from Neri per caso to Annalisa Minetti, passing through Mimì (winner of X Factor who had already sung the Italian National Anthem) to Stewart Copeland. And also Gnu Quartet & Valentina Irlando who had already made us fall in love with La Campanella by Paganini in the interlude from the Teatro Filarmonico di Verona.
And many others as well, who have joined together in an Ensemble of voices and sounds. Because, especially in times like these, sometimes unity really is strength. And yes, for one evening, it truly felt like we were Flying into a more beautiful, free, and united world. Where everyone can be who they are and dance and sing and express themselves for what they feel.
“Barriers are meant to be broken down“
Photo Credits: comitatoparalimpico.it
