Overview
- President Sergio Mattarella declared the XIV Winter Paralympics open in Verona, where only 29 of 55 delegations marched as the IPC cited logistical and performance‑timing reasons for many absences.
- Seven nations — Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Ukraine — skipped the parade in protest at Russian and Belarusian athletes competing with flags and anthems.
- Bebe Vio lit the Paralympic flame at a ceremony titled “Life in Motion,” which unfolded before Italian and international dignitaries.
- Italy won its first medals on day one: Chiara Mazzel took silver in the women’s vision‑impaired downhill and Giacomo Bertagnolli earned bronze in the men’s vision‑impaired downhill.
- Results elsewhere were mixed, with the United States defeating Italy 13–1 in para ice hockey, as the host nation fields its largest Winter Paralympic team (42 athletes and 4 guides) targeting roughly 7–10 medals and emphasizing accessibility and legacy goals.