The 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Paralympics began its 10-day run Friday night local time, with a record 611 athletes from 55 countries participating, including 56 members of Team South Korea.
At the opening ceremony held in Verona, Italy, para snowboard athlete Lee Chung-min and para alpine skier Park Chae-yi attended along with delegation head Yang Oh-yeol and athletes' village chief Jeon Seon-ju, following the International Paralympic Committee guideline allowing up to two athletes and two officials to participate in the ceremony.
Para cross-country skier Kim Yun-ji and wheelchair curling mixed doubles athlete Lee Yong-suk, named as Korea’s flag bearers, appeared carrying the national flag in a prerecorded video, as volunteers carried the national flags and country placards during the athletes’ parade.
Team Korea includes 20 athletes competing in five sports and aims to finish within the top 20 overall with one gold and one bronze medal.
For the first time in Winter Paralympic history, the cauldron was lit simultaneously in two cities, marking the official start of the Games. Flames were ignited at Milan’s Arco della Pace and at Piazza Angelo Dibona in Cortina d'Ampezzo.
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