Overview
- The opening ceremony in Verona went ahead without Ukraine, the European Union and 16 countries' officials after a coordinated boycott, yet organizers still carried Ukraine’s flag despite Kyiv’s request not to display it.
- Russia’s delegation marched under its flag for the first time since 2014 and was booed by spectators, according to AFP reporting from the arena.
- The IPC had granted so‑called white cards that let six Russian and four Belarusian athletes compete under their national flags rather than as neutrals.
- Competition began with early success for Ukraine as biathlete Taras Rad claimed the nation’s first gold, Oleksandra Kononova won the women’s sprint and Lyudmyla Liashenko added a bronze.
- The IPC confirmed Iran’s withdrawal because its sole athlete, Abulfazl Khatibi Mianei, was unable to travel safely to Italy due to conflict in the Middle East.