Mumbai, March 2 (NationPress) - With just four days remaining until the opening ceremony of the 2026 Paralympic Winter Games in Milano Cortina, Italy, ongoing hostilities in the Middle East are posing a serious risk of delays for several competing nations as their travel arrangements may be compromised due to air traffic disruptions in the region.

Many teams are anticipated to travel through key Middle Eastern hubs such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Doha, and the current conflict is likely to affect their journey to Europe. The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) is actively keeping an eye on this evolving situation.

The IPC stated, "We are closely tracking the missile strikes in the Middle East, gathering, validating, and evaluating information to assess the repercussions on the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games and the broader Paralympic Movement."

In their release, they acknowledged, "This crisis impacts not only the National Paralympic Committees (NPCs) participating in the Games but also our entire membership. Our foremost concern is for the individuals affected by this situation."

Regarding the upcoming Games, the IPC is evaluating the situation's effects on logistics, especially travel, while remaining committed to providing a premier Paralympic Winter Games that promotes social inclusion for the world’s 1.3 billion individuals with disabilities.

The IPC, headquartered in Bonn, mentioned that it is liaising with delegations and collaborating with the organizing committee to seek solutions for those impacted, as some teams might experience delays in arriving in Italy for the event.

They further noted, "We maintain close communication with all delegations participating in the Games and other involved parties. Although several teams are already present in Europe for training or preparatory camps, the airspace closures in the Middle East are hindering the arrival of some stakeholders. While we won't disclose the status of specific delegations or stakeholders at this moment, we assure you that we are diligently working with Milano Cortina 2026 to find resolutions for those affected."

The IPC has also expressed its commitment to delivering a "safe, secure, and spectacular Games" despite the ongoing crisis.

"The Paralympic Games represent the pinnacle of the Paralympic Movement, and our primary focus is on ensuring that Paralympians are highlighted as we host safe, secure, and memorable Games in Italy’s stunning venues," concluded the IPC.