The conclusion of the Paralympic Games in Milan Cortina marks the end of one chapter in sports, while another opens as France readies to host the next event in 2030. Over ten days of competitions, the games concluded without major incidents, even with the controversial return of Russia under its flag.
Milan Paralympics: Key Highlights
As the Games wrapped up, China emerged as a dominant force in the medal standings, securing 44 medals in total, including 15 golds. This achievement mirrors their impressive performance from the previous Winter Paralympics held in Beijing.
- China: 44 total medals, 15 gold
- USA: 12 medals, 8 gold
- Russia: 12 medals, 8 gold
- France: 12 medals, aimed for approximately 18
France finished in sixth place overall, trailing behind the USA and Russia. The return of Russian athletes, which had sparked anger from Ukraine and several European nations, did not result in major disruption during the competition. Notably, Russia’s national anthem was played eight times throughout the event.
Controversies and Protests
Despite the smooth conduct of the games, a notable protest occurred when German athlete Linn Kazmaier turned her back on the Russian flag in response to the victory of the Russian duo Anastasiia Bagiian and Sergei Siniakin in the women’s visually impaired cross-country sprint.
The Russian Sports Minister, Mikhaïl Degtiarev, deemed this act as “shocking” and labeled it “unsportsmanlike.” Furthermore, the Ukrainian committee expressed concerns over pressure placed on its athletes by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC). There were reported incidents regarding flags and demands for Ukrainian athletes to remove political statements during medal ceremonies.
Looking Ahead: France 2030
The Milan Cortina Games officially passed the baton to France, which will host the next Winter Paralympics in the Alps in 2030. The opening ceremony is set for March 6, 2030, in Vérone, although several nations have indicated their intention to boycott the event.
The definitive layout of competition venues will be announced in June and will be centered between the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur and Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes regions. Marie-Amélie Le Fur, President of the French Paralympic and Sports Committee, stated that the upcoming Games will learn from Italy’s model of allocation.
France has four years to prepare, focusing on athlete experience, ticketing strategies, and accessibility to ensure a successful Paralympic event. There’s also hope for the integration of athletes with adapted sports, a category that has not been present at the Winter Paralympics since 1998.
