The one-year countdown to the Milano-Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games was marked by a special celebration in Milan on Wednesday. International Paralympic Committee (IPC) President Andrew Parsons stated that the upcoming event is expected to be "the most beautiful Paralympic Winter Games yet" and will capture the attention of spectators and TV audiences worldwide.

Scheduled to take place from March 6 to 15, 2026, the Milano-Cortina Paralympic Winter Games will feature approximately 665 athletes from 50 countries and regions competing in six sports, with a total of 79 gold medals up for grabs. The opening ceremony will be held at the historic Arena di Verona, while the closing ceremony will take place at the Ice Stadium in Cortina d'Ampezzo.

Paralympic ice hockey players Andrea Macri (L), Alessandro Andreoni (C) and Gabriele Lanza of Italy pose during the One Year To Go ceremony for the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games in Milan, Italy, March 5, 2025. (Xinhua)

The competition venues are spread across northern Italy, with Para ice hockey set to take place in Milan, Para biathlon and Para cross-country skiing in the scenic Val di Fiemme, and Para alpine skiing, Para snowboard, and wheelchair curling in Cortina d'Ampezzo, in the heart of the Dolomites.

As part of the countdown celebrations, ticket sales officially opened on March 5, with a 24-hour pre-sale period exclusively for Visa cardholders, followed by public sales on March 6. According to the organizing committee, over 89 percent of tickets will be priced at EUR 35 or less, with children's tickets starting at just EUR 10. More than 200,000 low-cost tickets will be available to ensure greater public access to the event.

"Milano-Cortina 2026 will be more than just a sports competition, and it will serve as a catalyst for social change and inclusivity," Parsons said at the event. "From the tactical precision of wheelchair curling to the speed and endurance of Para cross-country skiing, every sport will showcase the resilience and determination of Paralympic athletes."

Beyond the competition, the Milano-Cortina Paralympics have already had a transformational impact on accessibility infrastructure across Italy. The Italian government has allocated EUR 20 million to improve accessibility in Verona, including upgrades to the Arena di Verona. In Milan, EUR 55 million is being invested to install elevators and stairlifts in metro stations, while Lombardy has ordered 53 new accessible trains, totaling EUR 416 million in investments.

In Bolzano Province, nearly all train stations along the Val Venosta, Val Pusteria, and Brenner railway lines have been renovated to be barrier-free. Meanwhile, the key transit hub at Valdaora-Anterselva has undergone significant upgrades. Further efforts are being made in Cortina and the Trento and Bolzano regions to enhance accessible tourism, with EUR 22 million allocated for eco-friendly and accessible hospitality projects.

Parsons praised these efforts, stating: "The Paralympic Games always leave a lasting legacy. What Italy is doing now will benefit generations to come."

The Paralympic torch relay will span 11 days, covering 2,000 kilometers with 501 torchbearers participating. Organizers emphasized that the relay will not only mark the countdown to the Games but also serve as a platform to promote inclusivity and unity worldwide.