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sports22h ago
Iran's Aboulfazl Khatibi won't compete at Milan Paralympics
- Iran will not participate in the Milan Cortina Paralympics because its lone athlete cannot travel safely amid the Middle East conflict.
- The decision was announced just hours before the opening ceremony in Verona.
- IPC President Andrew Parsons said the risk to human life was too high due to regional conflict.
- Parsons said dialogue with Iran’s NPC was not easy because communications were down in the country.
- Khatibi was to compete in two Para cross-country events and had been Iran's flag-bearer.
- Volunteers would handle the flag-bearing task for all nations due to logistical constraints.
- Iran's flag was removed from the nations' parade at the opening ceremony.
- The Paralympics proceed amid geopolitical tensions after the decision.
- Parsons expressed sympathy for Aboulfazl Khatibi's difficult situation.
- Khatibi was Iran’s sole Paralympian expected to compete in Milan.
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