Changing Iran's approach to the Winter Paralympic Games and the ambiguity in sending the convoy to Italy

According to Mehr reporter, last week, during a meeting with representatives of the Skiing and Winter Sports Federation, the managers of the National Paralympic Committee discussed the conditions and plans for participation in the upcoming Winter Paralympic Games, which will be hosted by Italy and held in Milan, but this meeting And even the history of Iran's presence in these games is not a definite reason for sending the convoy to Italy!

The beginning of the Winter Paralympic Games dates back to 1976, when the first round of these games was held in Orneskeldsvik, Sweden. So far, 13 editions of these games have been hosted by 11 different countries, and Iran has sent a representative in 7 editions.

These dispatches were made with the sole purpose of raising the Iranian flag among the participating countries, but according to Saeed Selgi, vice president of championship sports of the National Paralympic Committee, for the new period of the Winter Paralympic Games and the periods after that, a different approach should be taken in dispatching. be created and this issue has caused confusion in sending the Iranian convoy to Italy.

Saeed Selgi, vice president of championship sports of the National Paralympic Committee, in a conversation with Mehr's reporter in this regard, saying that “maybe” we will have a convoy for the Milan Games, he said: “Iran's distance from the countries that have style in winter disciplines is very large.” For this reason, in the past periods, it was important to be present for the Iranian caravan. To participate in the games with a minimum of athletes and for the purpose of waving the Iranian flag, without achieving any special achievement.

He continued: From now on, the approach of the National Paralympic Committee towards the Winter Paralympic Games and how to participate in them is different. This was an issue that was mentioned and emphasized in the meeting with the representatives of the skiing federation. For the winter games, a structured management plan with a 4- and 8-year approach should be presented and work should proceed based on that, in order to have a better participation in the games.

In response to the question, “is it planned to send a caravan from Iran to the 2026 Winter Paralympic Games?”, in response to the question, the vice president of championship sports of the National Paralympic Committee clarified: “It is not certain at the moment.” In the recent meeting, it was suggested that the camps should be started and the necessary care should be taken regarding the condition of the athletes and disciplines, but the dispatch is not yet certain.

Emphasizing that the ski federation is the only federation involved in the Winter Paralympic Games, Selgi said: Para-snowboarding, para-alpine and para-desert skiing are the disciplines in which our athletes are active. In the upcoming meetings, with the additional review of the conditions of these fields and their athletes, a decision will be made regarding the dispatch.

According to Mehr reporter, the 14th Paralympic Winter Games will be held in Milan, Italy from March 15 to 24.