Paralympians try to focus on Milan Cortina Games amid tensions over Iran war, return of Russian flag

Paralympians try to focus on Milan Cortina Games amid tensions over Iran war, return of Russian flag The Milan Cortina Winter Paralympics is the first global sports event since the war in the Middle East began last week and athletes have been trying to block out the news of the conflicts and focus on their preparations for the Games that officially st... By TALES AZZONI AP sports writer March 5, 2026, 12:21 PM CORTINA D'AMPEZZO, Italy -- Athletes at the Milan Cortina Winter Paralympics , the first global sports event since the war in the Middle East began last week, have been trying to block out news of the conflicts and focus on their preparations for the Games that officially start on Friday . Others have been outspoken about the return of the Russian flag to the global stage and are defending their nation's boycott of Friday's opening ceremony. The Games that mark the 50th anniversary of the Winter Paralympics are getting underway amid the ongoing military attacks by the United States, Israel and Iran. The conflicts prompted travel difficulties for some of the nations coming to Italy because of widespread flight disruptions . Iran was due to have one skier at Milan Cortina, although his participation was yet to be confirmed. “We are here to do a job,” U.S. wheelchair curler Laura Dwyer told The Associated Press on Thursday. “We are in the village, and we are at the venue, and we are working really hard to show up, and to do good things, and represent. So that’s what we are focused on, and no place I’d rather be than this beautiful place with this guy right here and at the Paralympic Games.” Dwyer is competing with Stephen Emt in the mixed-doubles discipline that is debuting at the Winter Paralympics. “We are just concerned with the ice, concerned with the stones and the competition,” Emt said. “We know that we are in a good place and we are going to continue to battle for the USA.” The curling competition began two days ahead of the opening ceremony and other cur...