A Lithuanian Paralympic athlete has announced he will not attend the opening ceremony of the games, which is scheduled for March 6. This decision was confirmed by Asta Narmontė, the secretary general of the Lithuanian Paralympic Committee, who explained that the opening ceremony will take place four to five hours away by travel from Verona, while the athlete's events are set to start the following day in Cortina. With preparations for competition being the priority, attending the parade was never part of the plan.

The comment from Narmontė included a strong sentiment that Lithuania would not be participating with enthusiasm in the ceremony, indicating a serious approach to the unexpected distance and timing of the event. Additionally, it was highlighted that the Ukrainian Paralympic Committee had announced similar plans to skip the ceremony, joined by athletes from the Czech Republic. This collective decision points to a broader sentiment regarding the current political climate affecting countries in the region, and how it impacts sports.

This news follows recent announcements from the International Paralympic Committee, which noted that athletes from Russia and Belarus would be allowed to compete under their own flags despite earlier bans. The participation of athletes from these countries is controversial, especially in light of the ongoing geopolitical tensions that have raised questions about fairness and representation in international sports events. Therefore, the decision by Lithuania and others to withdraw from the ceremony can be seen as a statement against the inclusion of these nations and a reflection of their stance regarding the ongoing conflicts.