Less than three years to go until the Paralympic Winter Games 2026 start in Milan-Cortina. The opening ceremony will take place at the Arena in Verona. The amphitheatre will be “the symbol of how inclusive the Paralympics and Winter Olympics should be”, as the Governor of the Veneto Region, Luca Zaia, is keen to point out. The goal for Milan-Cortina 2026 is to be the first Olympic and Paralympic Games that are fully accessible to everyone, regardless of whether they have a disability or not.
And if the Arena is going to symbolise this, it will need to be prepared. That’s why, yesterday afternoon, the Mayor of Verona, Damiano Tommasi, accompanied the Extraordinary Commissioner of the Milano-Cortina 2026 Infrastructure Company and his technicians to inspect the Amphitheatre. The aim of the visit was to assess the state of the amphitheatre’s infrastructure, which is essential for the most rapid planning and evaluation of the necessary adaptations that will have to be financed in order to be ready in time for the event.
The 2026 Winter Paralympics will be an opportunity to demonstrate Italy’s commitment to the elimination of architectural barriers and the promotion of accessibility for all. All venues and sports facilities will be accessible to people with disabilities. This will give all athletes equal opportunities to compete and achieve their goals. Verona, with its artistic and cultural heritage, is thus preparing to become an impressive stage for the 2026 Winter Paralympics, demonstrating the importance of inclusion and accessibility in the promotion of sport and culture. The city is committed to the development of its infrastructure and services in order to be more welcoming to athletes and visitors.
