Cauldrons lit, speeches delivered, a nation inspired: Winter Paralympics officially declared open

The Winter Paralympics Milano Cortina 2026 are officially open.

In the heart of Italy, at Arena di Verona, over 300 athletes descended on one of the nation’s best-preserved monuments for the Opening Ceremony on Friday (6 March).

With the arrival of these Games, the arena underwent significant redevelopment to improve its accessibility by including features such as ramps, toilets, lifts, and enhanced pedestrian pathways. It paved the way for what was a truly remarkable spectacle to pay homage to a sporting showpiece built on courage, determination, inspiration, and equality.

From dance performances and musical acts to an interpretation of Romeo & Juliet, there was something for everyone.

With the first day of action on the horizon, the Opening Ceremony set up what is set to be a thrilling 10 days of competition.

Unique, Together

Organizers of the Opening Ceremony gave spectators plenty to be inspired by on the night, with their ‘Unique, Together’ segment particularly impactful. It featured the Italian flag carried by two vastly different figures who shared an important commonality: overcoming difficulties and taboos.

It began with Carlotta Bertotti, a model and content creator who courageously challenges traditional beauty standards with a birthmark that covers half of her face. Her sequence involved removing make-up from the birthmark, a decision she made one day without looking back, instead sharing her identity and diversity without shame.

Bertotti then passed the flag to Veronica Yoko Plebani, an athlete who has represented the hosts at one winter and three summer Paralympic Games. A leading figure in inclusive sport and body positivity in Italy, she competed in Snowboard Cross on the snow, and in the triathlon during the summer. Plebani works across sport, fashion, and in the media championing inclusion and identity.

With the flag hoisted, Italian singer Mimì and composer Ginevra Nervi joined forces to perform a rousing rendition of the national anthem.

Parade of Athletes

Aside from competing, this is what many of these athletes look forward to when it comes to the Winter Paralympics. Making their way across the stage, their nation’s flag in hand, knowing that all their hard work has paid off.

56 delegations were represented at the arena, with clusters of athletes broadcast on the big screen from Milano, Cortina, and Val di Fiemme where they are ready to begin competing in their respective sports.

Approximately 300 athletes were in Verona, accompanied by 102 volunteers.

For keen fans of house music, you would have noticed the sounds of Meduza – an Italian trio made up of Luca De Gregorio, Mattia Vitale, and Simone Giani who performed popular hits that featured vocals from global stars such as Hozier.

As hosts Italy closed out the parade, DJ Miky Bionic introduced and presented the disciplines and competition venues for this edition of the Winter Paralympics. Known for his dedication to raising awareness about disability and prosthetic technologies, his artistry was the perfect companion for this section of the ceremony.

Malagò and Parsons deliver speeches

As we approached the midway point of the night, it was time for officials to deliver their speeches.

Giovanni Malagò, President of the Organizing Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games Milano Cortina 2026, and IPC President Andrew Parsons both addressed athletes and spectators alike.

“The Paralympic movement is driven by a simple yet revolutionary idea: disabilities do not belong to one group or another, they are part of the human condition,” Malagò said.

“Disability makes visible what unites us all. The determination to overcome those limits is the true engine of any social, cultural, and technological progress.

“This vision deserves to be celebrated with a truly memorable event – and this is precisely what you will deliver together, with passion and strength.”

Parsons shared this sentiment, reflecting on what can be achieved when small moments change the course of history.

“Tonight, in this ancient arena where gladiators once stood, we welcome a new generation of heroes,” he proclaimed.

“Paralympians are ready to redefine possibility, push the boundaries of human ability, and show what humans can achieve when respected and provided with chances to succeed.

“Through their exceptional sporting performances, Paralympians will remind the world that disability is not itself a limitation, but an incredible dimension of human diversity.”

Landmark lighting of dual cauldrons

Just as we witnessed at the Olympic Games some weeks ago, the Paralympic Games will too have dual cauldrons burning for the duration of the showpiece. One stands in Milan and the other in Cortina, representing the true magnitude of this four-site spectacle.

They have been designed to mirror one another, inspired by the late Leonardo da Vinci. An Italian polymath, he is widely recognized for his world-renowned paintings such as the Mona Lisa and The Last Supper.

The ‘knot’ structure is an ode to the knots that bound his art, an instantly recognizable design of interwoven patterns threaded throughout da Vinci’s work.

It was fitting that the final torchbearer for this moment in Verona would be Bebe Vio. A two-time Paralympic champion in fencing, she is synonymous with the Games and this movement.

The cauldrons were lit and will be extinguished at the exact same time, a demonstration of the harmony between both host cities.